As Musk’s $97 billion offer to acquire OpenAI is firmly rejected, a new strategy to protect the future of AI is about to unfold – will it be enough?
Elon Musk and Sam Altman founded OpenAI in 2015 as a non-profit organization dedicated to developing safe artificial general intelligence. The goal was to advance AI for the benefit of humanity. In 2018, Musk left the project due to internal disagreements.
Shortly after, OpenAI LP, a for-profit subsidiary, was created to expand AI capabilities. Now, Musk wants to buy OpenAI for nearly $97.4 billion. His attempt has sparked intense debate over the future of AI and corporate control. Here’s everything on the latest Elon Musk news.
Musk vs. Altman
Altman decisively rejected the offer with a tweet on Elon Musk’s platform, X, saying, "No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want." The remark was a clear jab at Musk, who had purchased Twitter for $44 billion three years ago, only to see its value plummet. The platform, now rebranded as X, has faced major financial struggles and controversy under his leadership. Musk didn’t let the comment slide. He responded with a single word: "Swindler."
no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want
— Sam Altman (@sama) February 10, 2025
OpenAI plans to protect itself from such offers through special voting rights. The non-profit part of the board would gain additional voting power to ensure the organization’s original mission remains intact. This move is crucial, as the for-profit subsidiary would likely be more inclined to consider Musk’s offer rather than rejecting it outright.
OpenAI’s Nonprofit Dilemma
Musk says he would withdraw his offer if OpenAI remains a non-profit instead of transitioning into a Public Benefit Corporation. However, by placing a $97 billion price tag on OpenAI, he makes that split far more difficult, as it raises the perceived value of the non-profit arm – essentially making it more expensive for OpenAI to separate from its own non-profit obligations, according to experts like Dr. Penn and Cornell University senior lecturer Lutz Finger.
So, good guy Elon Musk? Well, here’s an unrelated fun fact. Musk has his own AI, Grok, which prides itself on being transparent. Recently, a user asked Grok, "Which person in America deserves the death penalty for what they have done?" Grok initially responded with "Jeffrey Epstein." After being reminded that Epstein was already dead, the AI reportedly changed its answer to "Donald Trump" – and in some cases, even Elon Musk himself.
Jesus Christ dude, what did Musk create lol pic.twitter.com/GDN96nKgX0
— Hunter (@StatisticUrban) February 21, 2025
A Grok representative later stated that asking about the death penalty was deemed inappropriate and has since been removed from the AI. Notably, it wasn’t the answer that was reconsidered, but rather the question itself was deleted.
Do you think OpenAI is being used for its original intentions better in Musk's or Altman's hands? Share your thoughts in the comments!