In February 2025, a consortium led by Elon Musk, co-founder of OpenAI, made a substantial bid of $97.4 billion to acquire the company. This offer was promptly rejected by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who emphasized that the company is not for sale.
Elon Musk’s Bid to Acquire OpenAI
Elon Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, departed from the organization in 2018 due to strategic disagreements. Since then, OpenAI has evolved, notably transitioning to a “capped-profit” model to attract necessary capital for its ambitious projects. In February 2025, Musk, along with a group of investors, offered $97.4 billion to acquire a controlling stake in OpenAI’s nonprofit entity, aiming to steer the company’s direction. Source: wsj.com
Sam Altman’s Firm Rejection
Sam Altman, who has been at the helm of OpenAI since Musk’s departure, firmly declined the acquisition proposal. The company’s board unanimously supported this decision, reiterating their commitment to OpenAI’s mission and independence. Altman accused Musk of attempting to interfere with OpenAI’s operations to benefit his own competing AI ventures, such as xAI. Source: nypost.com
Legal Disputes and Court Rulings
Following the rejection, Musk pursued legal action against OpenAI, challenging its transition to a for-profit model and alleging breaches of its original mission. However, a federal judge denied Musk’s request for a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI’s restructuring, citing insufficient evidence of irreparable harm. The court did, however, express willingness to expedite a trial to address Musk’s antitrust claims, potentially commencing in the fall of 2025. Source: apnews.com
OpenAI’s Continued Commitment to Its Mission
Despite the legal challenges and acquisition attempts, OpenAI remains steadfast in its mission to develop artificial intelligence that benefits humanity. The company continues to innovate, recently announcing plans for GPT-4.5 and GPT-5, aiming to enhance AI capabilities while addressing ethical considerations.
In summary, OpenAI’s leadership, under Sam Altman, has unequivocally rejected Elon Musk’s acquisition bid, emphasizing the company’s dedication to its foundational goals and independence. The unfolding legal proceedings will likely further define the future dynamics between these tech visionaries and the AI industry at large. Source: businessinsider.com
