In a bold move, Elon Musk, alongside a consortium of investors, has proposed a $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research organization he co-founded in 2015. This offer, submitted to OpenAI’s board on February 10, 2025, aims to revert the company to its original open-source, safety-centric mission.
Musk’s proposal is backed by his AI venture, xAI, and several prominent investment firms, including 8VC, Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital, Atreides Management, and Vy Capital. In a statement, Musk emphasized the need for OpenAI to return to its foundational principles, stating, “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.”
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, promptly dismissed the unsolicited bid with a retort on X (formerly Twitter): “No thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want,” referencing Musk’s acquisition of the social media platform. Musk responded by calling Altman a “swindler.”
This development intensifies the ongoing rivalry between Musk and Altman. Musk departed from OpenAI’s board in 2018 due to strategic disagreements and has since criticized the organization’s shift towards a for-profit model. In 2024, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that it had strayed from its original mission of benefiting humanity.
OpenAI, initially established as a non-profit, has transitioned to a “capped-profit” model to attract necessary investments. The organization recently announced plans to restructure as a for-profit public benefit corporation, balancing societal impact with profit motives. Altman is expected to receive an ownership stake … this transition.
The outcome of Musk’s acquisition attempt remains uncertain, but it underscores the high-stakes competition and differing philosophies shaping the future of artificial intelligence.