Elon Musk has made a bold $97.4 billion bid to take control of OpenAI, a company he co-founded but left in 2018.
The offer, backed by his AI venture xAI and several high-profile investors, targets OpenAI’s non-profit arm rather than the entire organization. 
Musk has repeatedly criticized OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, arguing that it has deviated from its original mission.
“It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was,” he stated.
However, the proposal was swiftly rejected by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who responded sarcastically on X, saying, “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
Musk’s bid comes amid ongoing tensions with Altman, as the two have clashed over OpenAI’s direction.
After leaving OpenAI, Musk launched xAI to compete in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Over the years, he has challenged OpenAI’s restructuring efforts, even filing and later re-filing a lawsuit against the company.
The current bid is backed by investors such as Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir, and Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor.
Moreover, Musk’s legal representative, Alex Toberoff, revealed that the investor group is prepared to match or exceed any competing offers that might emerge.
Meanwhile, OpenAI maintains that its restructuring is necessary to secure funding and sustain growth in the competitive AI industry.
The company has stated that without adjustments to its non-profit model, it will struggle to compete.
OpenAI aims to finalize its restructuring by 2026, a move Musk opposes.
Furthermore, Musk’s attempt to reclaim control of the company highlights his broader ambition to expand his influence in artificial intelligence.
However, OpenAI remains firm in its stance, prioritizing long-term sustainability over ownership disputes.
While Musk’s bid signals his determination to steer OpenAI back to its original mission, Altman and his team remain focused on their strategic vision.
Whether this standoff will lead to further negotiations or a prolonged rivalry remains uncertain.
