The ongoing rivalry between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken another dramatic turn. In a recent interview at the Paris AI Action Summit, Altman categorically dismissed any possibility of OpenAI being sold, even after reports surfaced that Musk and his allies had made a staggering $100 billion offer for the AI giant.
“OpenAI is not for sale,” Altman stated unequivocally during his conversation with Bloomberg journalist Tom Mackenzie. When pressed further on Musk’s motivations, Altman suggested that the Tesla CEO was attempting to hinder OpenAI’s progress. “I think he is probably trying to slow us down,” he remarked.
This latest development intensifies the already strained relationship between the two tech leaders. Musk, a former co-founder of OpenAI, has been vocal about his concerns regarding the company’s direction, particularly its shift from a non-profit entity to a profit-driven model. After parting ways with OpenAI in 2018, Musk has since launched xAI, a competing artificial intelligence venture, and has openly criticized OpenAI’s practices.
The rivalry between Musk and Altman is not merely ideological but also business-driven. xAI has been aggressively developing its AI capabilities, positioning itself as a formidable competitor to OpenAI. Musk has secured significant funding for xAI and has hinted at ambitions to challenge OpenAI’s dominance in the AI industry.
Altman, however, appears unbothered by Musk’s efforts. Instead, he characterized Musk as an “unhappy person” who has been trying “all sorts of things for a long time.” This comment highlights the personal animosity underlying their professional competition.
Despite the escalating feud, OpenAI continues to lead the AI space with groundbreaking advancements in large language models and AI applications. The company’s ChatGPT platform has become a global phenomenon, reinforcing its position as an industry leader. Meanwhile, Musk’s xAI has been making strategic moves, recently launching its own chatbot, Grok, integrated with X (formerly Twitter).
The latest exchange between Altman and Musk underscores the high stakes in the AI race. With OpenAI rejecting a $100 billion bid, it is clear that Altman is confident in the company’s trajectory and unwilling to entertain offers—even from one of the world’s richest individuals. As both OpenAI and xAI push forward, their rivalry is set to shape the future of artificial intelligence, with innovation, ethics, and corporate strategy all in the balance.
