OpenAi's Sam Altman Retorts Back At Elon Musk
OpenAI recently made headlines after rejecting a $97.4 billion bid from a consortium led by Elon Musk for the ChatGPT maker. The organization firmly stated that it is not for sale. In response to Musk's bid, OpenAI released a statement asserting their stance: "OpenAI is not for sale, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr. Musk's latest attempt to disrupt his competition. Any potential reorganization of OpenAI will strengthen our nonprofit and its mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity." This statement was issued by Bret Taylor, Chair, on behalf of the OpenAI Board of Directors.
Legal Back-and-Forth
Musk's lawyer, Marc Toberoff, countered OpenAI's rejection by suggesting that the organization is essentially putting control of the for-profit enterprise up for sale. He alleged that this move would benefit certain board members over the charity itself. This legal back-and-forth between OpenAI and Musk's consortium has attracted significant attention.
Plans for Restructuring
OpenAI had previously outlined plans in late December 2024 to revamp its structure. The startup announced its intention to create a public benefit corporation, aiming to facilitate easier access to capital and remove restrictions imposed by its current nonprofit parent. This strategic move was designed to enable OpenAI to thrive in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Response from Sam Altman
Sam Altman, a prominent figure associated with OpenAI, responded to the consortium's offer with a simple "no thank you." Musk, in turn, referred to Altman as a "swindler." Despite the verbal exchanges, Altman reiterated in an interview that OpenAI is not on the market for acquisition.
Latest Developments
Recent developments saw Musk's lawyers filing a court document on Wednesday, February 12, indicating that the consortium, which includes Musk's AI startup xAI, would withdraw its bid for OpenAI's non-profit arm if the organization proceeded with its plans to transition into a for-profit entity. The legal proceedings and negotiations continue to unfold, shaping the future direction of OpenAI and its operations.
It is evident that both Musk and OpenAI remain steadfast in their positions, each aiming to advance their respective agendas in the realm of artificial intelligence.
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