Elon Musk’s bold attempt to acquire OpenAI’s nonprofit arm for $97.4 billion remains mired in uncertainty as OpenAI’s board insists it has not received a formal bid. The situation has sparked confusion, with Musk’s legal team maintaining that an official offer was sent to OpenAI’s external counsel.
On Monday, Musk’s consortium made headlines by announcing a $97.4 billion offer to take over OpenAI’s nonprofit entity, which controls the for-profit division responsible for developing ChatGPT. However, as of Tuesday, OpenAI’s board denied receiving any formal communication regarding the bid, raising questions about the transparency and execution of Musk’s takeover attempt.
According to a source familiar with the matter, OpenAI’s board remains unaware of any official proposal. This contradicts statements from Musk’s legal representatives, who claim the bid was submitted to OpenAI’s outside legal team. The apparent discrepancy has fueled speculation about the legitimacy and seriousness of the offer.
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who later distanced himself from the organization, has been an outspoken critic of its leadership and direction. His renewed interest in controlling OpenAI comes at a time when artificial intelligence is at the forefront of technological advancements, and the race for AI supremacy is intensifying among major players like Google’s DeepMind and Microsoft.
If successful, Musk’s acquisition could dramatically reshape OpenAI’s trajectory, potentially reversing its current partnerships and strategic focus. Under CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI has positioned itself as a leader in generative AI, with significant backing from Microsoft. Musk’s involvement could disrupt these alliances and introduce a new governance structure aligned with his vision for AI safety and open-source initiatives.
However, the absence of an acknowledged formal bid raises doubts about whether this attempt is a genuine corporate maneuver or a public pressure tactic. Given Musk’s history of making bold, sometimes speculative, business moves such as his on-again, off-again acquisition of Twitter (now X) many are watching closely to see how this saga unfolds.
Until OpenAI’s board officially acknowledges a received bid, the status of Musk’s offer remains in limbo. If the bid materializes and is taken seriously, it could spark intense negotiations or even a legal battle over OpenAI’s future. For now, the AI world waits to see whether Musk’s latest ambition will become reality or fade into the realm of unfulfilled speculation.
