Elon Musk is spearheading a dramatic proposal to purchase OpenAI, the organisation behind ChatGPT, for an impressive $US97.4 billion ($155 billion). His contentious history with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, includes multiple legal challenges, where Musk alleges that OpenAI has deviated from its original mission to operate as a philanthropic entity, instead prioritising profit through its AI technologies.
Musk contends that OpenAI has breached its founding principles, claiming it has transformed into a for-profit enterprise that has significantly increased its valuation in recent years, largely attributed to Altman’s leadership. The suggested acquisition would potentially give Musk majority control, aligning with his own ambitions for artificial intelligence through X.AI.
Musk’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, emphasised the need for compensation if OpenAI’s leadership chooses to continue in a profit-driven direction, advocating for a return to its roots as a safety-focused, open-source initiative. In a cheeky rebuttal, Altman suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that they would be open to buying Twitter for $9.74 billion instead, highlighting the ongoing friction between the two.
The situation presents significant implications for the future trajectory of AI, as both parties navigate their diverging visions for the technology amid a backdrop of legal disputes and boardroom turmoil that reflects deeper concerns regarding the safety and ethical use of AI.