OpenAI has unanimously rejected a $97.4 billion acquisition bid from Elon Musk and his investor consortium, doubling down on its commitment to remain a nonprofit \"for the benefit of humanity.\" The move highlights tensions between Musk and the AI startup he co-founded but later left. 🌐
Why the Rejection?
Musk’s unsolicited bid aimed to block OpenAI’s shift toward a for-profit model, according to the company. Board chairman Bret Taylor stated on X: \"Any potential reorganization will strengthen our nonprofit mission\" to ensure artificial general intelligence (AGI) serves everyone. AGI—often dubbed \"AI that thinks like humans\"—remains OpenAI’s North Star. 🧠
Behind the Feud
Musk, who left OpenAI in 2019, has publicly clashed with CEO Sam Altman over the company’s profit-driven pivot. His lawyers accused OpenAI of prioritizing board members’ profits over its original altruistic goals. Altman fired back on X with a simple \"no thank you,\" to which Musk replied: \"swindler.\" 💥
What’s Next?
OpenAI plans to restructure as a public benefit corporation to raise capital while keeping its nonprofit roots. Musk’s consortium, which includes his AI startup xAI, has threatened to withdraw the bid if OpenAI abandons its for-profit plans. Legal battles over alleged breaches of contract continue. ⚖️
Investors like Valor Equity Partners and Hollywood’s Ari Emanuel are backing Musk’s bid, but for now, OpenAI’s board isn’t budging. \"The future of AI is too important for shortcuts,\" Taylor added. 🚀
