OpenAI is not For Sale, Sam Altman Tells Elon Musk: What’s Next?

The battle for artificial intelligence supremacy just took an unexpected turn. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has firmly rejected a $97.4 billion takeover bid from a consortium of investors led by Elon Musk. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO and co-founder, made it clear at the AI Action Summit in Paris that OpenAI is “not for sale.”

But what does this high-profile rejection mean for the future of AI, OpenAI’s mission, and Musk’s ongoing rivalry with the company? Let’s break it down.

OpenAI vs. Elon Musk: A Brief History

Sam Altman and Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI with the goal of ensuring artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. However, after a public falling out, Musk parted ways with OpenAI. Since then, he has been critical of the organization, particularly its for-profit pivot and deepening ties with Microsoft.

Now, with Musk’s attempted acquisition, the drama between these two AI powerhouses is reigniting.

Why Did OpenAI Reject the Offer?

At the AI Action Summit, Altman reaffirmed OpenAI’s commitment to its mission. When asked about AGI, he defined it as “really strong, powerful AI systems” and reiterated that OpenAI’s focus is on developing AI for the benefit of humanity.

Musk’s bid was met with outright rejection. In a bold response on Musk’s social platform X, Altman joked: “No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

Clearly, OpenAI has no intention of relinquishing control, at least under the current leadership.

Who Owns OpenAI?

Unlike major tech companies such as Microsoft or Meta, OpenAI operates under a unique structure that combines non-profit and for-profit arms. This hybrid model has been a source of controversy, particularly with its massive funding rounds and Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar investment.

Musk has publicly stated he wants to return OpenAI to its original non-profit status. However, critics argue that his motives might not be entirely altruistic.

Tech investor Christie Pitts told the BBC: “I think it’s fair to be pretty suspicious of this considering that he has a competitor himself… which is structured as a for-profit company.”

Altman echoed these sentiments in an interview with Axios, describing Musk as “a competitor who is not able to beat us in the market and instead is just trying to buy us out.”

Could OpenAI Still Be Sold?

While Altman has made his stance clear, OpenAI’s board ultimately holds the power to decide its future. If Musk or another investor increases their bid significantly, it’s possible that OpenAI’s board may reconsider.

The current offer of $97.4 billion is well below OpenAI’s valuation of $157 billion from its last funding round. Reports suggest that new investors are valuing OpenAI at $300 billion, making Musk’s bid seem relatively small in comparison.

Musk’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, has hinted that the consortium would be “prepared to consider matching or exceeding” any higher offers. This suggests the battle for OpenAI is far from over.

The Stargate Project: OpenAI’s Next Big Move

In a move that further solidifies OpenAI’s ambitions, the company has teamed up with Oracle, a Japanese investment firm, and an Emirati sovereign wealth fund to build $500 billion worth of AI infrastructure in the U.S.

Dubbed The Stargate Project, the initiative was announced at the White House by President Donald Trump. Trump hailed it as “the largest AI infrastructure project by far in history” and a crucial step to keeping AI development in the U.S.

Musk, despite being an advisor to Trump, has cast doubt on the project’s funding. However, he has not provided any concrete evidence to support his skepticism.

What’s Next for OpenAI and Musk?

With OpenAI rejecting Musk’s bid and launching massive AI infrastructure projects, the battle for AI dominance is heating up. Musk still has his own AI firm, xAI, but OpenAI remains the undisputed leader in the space.

For now, OpenAI is staying independent, focused on AGI research and expanding its influence. Whether Musk increases his bid or looks for another way to challenge OpenAI remains to be seen.

One thing is certain—this AI rivalry is far from over.

Key Takeaways:

✔ OpenAI rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion buyout offer. ✔ Sam Altman reaffirmed OpenAI’s commitment to AGI benefiting humanity. ✔ OpenAI’s board could still consider a higher offer. ✔ The company is launching The Stargate Project to build $500B in AI infrastructure. ✔ Musk remains skeptical but continues to compete with his own AI firm, xAI.

What do you think about OpenAI’s decision? Should it have considered Musk’s offer, or is staying independent the right move? Let’s discuss in the comments!

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