Elon Musk has launched a $97.400 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT. The proposal has been submitted by its lawyer, Marc Toberoff, to OpenAI's board of directors, in a move that exacerbates the already tense relationship between Musk and the company's CEO, Sam Altman.
OpenAI was co-founded by Musk in 2015 as a nonprofit, but he left the company in 2018. The company has since evolved toward a for-profit model, drawing opposition from the entrepreneur. His recent offering attempts to reverse this change and return OpenAI to its open source, security-focused roots.
An unexpected offer and an immediate rejection
Altman's reaction was not long in coming. Through X (formerly Twitter), he responded ironically: “No thanks, but we’ll buy Twitter for $9.740 billion if you want.”Musk, for his part, responded by calling him a "scammer."
The acquisition offer It is not directly addressed to OpenAI, but rather the nonprofit entity that controls it. Musk argues that OpenAI's recent transition to a commercial model contradicts its founding principles.
Musk's interests and the transformation of OpenAI
Since leaving OpenAI, Musk has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the direction taken by the company. In 2023, he founded his own artificial intelligence company, XAI, which aims to develop advanced models that compete with those of OpenAI.
OpenAI, for its part, has consolidated alliances with technological giants like Microsoft and SoftBank. By 2025, the company plans to complete its transition to a for-profit corporation, allowing it to attract greater investment for the development of its technology.
A duel that transcends the business
Musk's attempt to take control of OpenAI comes amid a legal standoff between the two parties. The businessman has sued OpenAI accusing its management of betraying the company's original mission and siding with Microsoft to the detriment of the public interest.
The offer has been supported by a group of investors, including Baron Capital, Valor Equity Partners and Atreides ManagementIf the acquisition goes through, xAI could merge with OpenAI to regain its open source focus.
The impact of artificial intelligence on the sector
Beyond the conflict between Musk and Altman, the outcome of this dispute could significantly affect the artificial intelligence industry. OpenAI is one of the leading companies in the creation of advanced generative AI models and their business transformation raises questions about the future of access to and development of this technology.
In addition, the Stargate project, promoted by the Donald Trump administration and backed by OpenAI and SoftBank with a planned investment of $500.000 billion, is still underway. This is an effort to Strengthening AI infrastructure in the US, something Musk has criticised, suggesting the announced funding may not actually be available.
The future of OpenAI remains uncertain following the rejection of Musk’s offer. His attempt to regain control of the company could trigger new strategic moves by OpenAI and its partners. The dispute between Musk and Altman reflects not only a clash of visions on artificial intelligence, but also a battle for dominance in the sector.