Sam Altman Says OpenAI 'Not for Sale' After Musk Launches Bid ...
Sam Altman has made it clear that OpenAI will not be sold to Elon Musk, despite the Tesla CEO's offer of nearly $100 billion. Altman emphasized that "the company is not for sale" in response to Musk's intention to return OpenAI to its original status as "the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was." Newsweek reached out to OpenAI for comment via email.
Co-Founders' History
Musk and Altman established OpenAI in December 2015 with the goal of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. Despite initially admiring Musk as a "mega-hero" after their 2010 meeting, Altman and Musk have recently clashed over their differing visions of AI development.
Altman's Response
Altman addressed the situation at the Paris AI Summit, affirming his commitment to leading OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, in the near future. He made it clear that there are no intentions to entertain Musk's offer, stating, "The board will decide what to do there...the mission is really important and we're totally focused on making sure we preserve that." Altman further added, "The company is not for sale, neither is the mission."
Musk's bid to acquire the company for $94.4 billion prompted a swift reaction from Altman on social media. Altman's response, directed at Musk's ownership of X, formerly Twitter, was a playful suggestion: "No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."
Musk's Stance
Musk's discontent with OpenAI's management has been evident, especially during a 2024 legal dispute regarding OpenAI's collaboration with Microsoft. Musk referred to the company as "a closed-source, de facto subsidiary of the largest technology company in the world," prompting OpenAI to dismiss his remarks as "frivolous" in their response.
In a statement provided by his attorney to the Wall Street Journal, Musk emphasized the need for OpenAI to return to its original goals, saying, "It's time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was. We will make sure that happens."
Final Remarks
Reflecting on Musk's actions in December 2024, Altman expressed concerns over the ethical use of political power, particularly in relation to harming competitors. Despite Musk's significant influence, Altman doubted his willingness to engage in such practices.
Musk continues to serve as the head of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.
