This Befree blog explores the growing rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, two titans of artificial intelligence (AI) who started as allies and ended up in a struggle for control and the future of OpenAI.
From Allies to Rivals
In 2015, Musk and Altman co-founded OpenAI with the ambition of developing AI safely and for the benefit of humanity. However, in 2018, Musk left OpenAI, citing conflicts of interest with Tesla, while the organization stated that his departure was due to his failure to secure the majority control he sought.
A year later, OpenAI became a limited-profit entity.
The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 boosted OpenAI’s relevance and led it toward a more lucrative business model. Musk criticized this transformation, accusing Altman of betraying the original mission and filing legal complaints, especially after Microsoft’s multi-million-dollar investment. He also warned about the risks of AI developed for commercial purposes and denounced anti-competitive practices.
In 2023, Musk founded xAI to compete in the AI sector. However, the competition did not stop there. Altman, alongside Trump, introduced Stargate, an ambitious AI project valued at $500 billion, leaving Musk out of the game. In response, Musk launched a hostile bid to regain control of OpenAI.
The growing rivalry between Musk and Altman has led to legal and media disputes, highlighting their differing views on the future of artificial intelligence.
Opposing Approaches
Musk and Altman hold conflicting positions on AI development and control, reflected in key aspects such as transparency, regulation, and purpose.
Transparency and Open Access
- Musk: Advocates for more transparent development, free from corporate influence, criticizing OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft.
- Altman: Believes attracting investments is key to scaling AI safely, which led OpenAI to transform into a limited-profit entity.
Risks and Regulation
- Musk: Warns about the dangers of unregulated AI, calling for pauses in its development until its risks are better understood.
- Altman: Supports continuous and controlled advancement, arguing that progress is the best way to mitigate threats.
Purpose and Control
- Musk: Seeks to prevent AI from falling under the control of large corporations or governments.
- Altman: Has solidified alliances with Microsoft to ensure OpenAI’s growth.
Musk’s Offer and Altman’s Response
Elon Musk, along with xAI and other investors, offered $97.4 billion to take control of OpenAI, aiming to restore it to its original mission as a nonprofit research lab.
Although Altman rejected the offer, this move raised questions about OpenAI’s financial independence, assigning it an economic and commercial value.
Musk argues that OpenAI has deviated from its original course toward profit-driven goals. As a pressure tactic, he proposed withdrawing if the organization maintains its nonprofit structure, asserting that otherwise, its original foundation should be compensated if its assets are commercially valued.
On the other hand, Altman points out that Musk, despite falling behind OpenAI and DeepSeek, operates xAI for profit and integrates its technology into Tesla and SpaceX, without yet achieving innovations that challenge the industry leaders.
What’s Next?
With legal battles, billion-dollar investments, and conflicting strategies, the dispute between Musk and Altman continues to escalate. The battle for AI control remains open, and its outcome could mark a turning point in the evolution of artificial intelligence, redefining who will hold power over the digital future of the world.
