Elon Musk’s $97 Billion Bid for OpenAI Sparks Questions About Intentions

Musk’s rejected offer raises speculation about motives, including rivalry with Sam Altman and potential AI industry consolidation.

Elon Musk has made a $97 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, the AI company he co-founded in 2015 but left in 2018 after disagreements over its direction.
Sam Altman, OpenAI's current CEO, rejected the bid, responding with a public statement that dismissed Musk’s offer humorously and decisively.
Musk’s motivations remain unclear, with theories ranging from a genuine interest in OpenAI’s technology to a strategic move to disrupt Altman’s plans for the company.
The bid has reignited tensions between Musk and Altman, whose rivalry spans a decade and includes disputes over OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model.
The move also highlights broader concerns about consolidation in the AI industry and the role of political influence, given Musk’s ties to the Trump administration.