Tension Escalates Between Elon Musk and Sam Altman Over OpenAI Deal

The ongoing rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over the direction of OpenAI has taken another sharp turn. Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, rejected a $97.4 billion buyout offer led by a group of investors headed by Elon Musk. In response, Altman delivered a bold statement: “Istersen ben X’i satın alabilirim,” suggesting he could return the favor by acquiring Musk’s social media platform, X. The comment reflects the widening gap in the relationship between the two tech figures, who once co-founded OpenAI as a non-profit initiative.

The dispute largely stems from the organization’s shift from a non-profit model to a for-profit structure following its multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft. This shift, according to Musk, marked a deviation from OpenAI’s founding mission. Musk expressed discontent by filing legal complaints, alleging that the company prioritized profit over its initial vision. Meanwhile, Altman and his team argue that this transition was essential to securing global competitiveness and accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence.

Complicating the tension, Musk recently criticized the Stargate Project, a major initiative involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle aimed at establishing large-scale data centers across the United States. He dismissed the project’s financial viability, claiming, “These companies have no money.” The critique was met with a direct response from Altman, who invited Musk to visit one of the newly constructed data centers in Texas.

The $97.4 billion valuation proposed by Musk’s investment group has also raised questions, as it is considered significantly lower than OpenAI’s current market expectations. SoftBank, for example, is reportedly planning a $40 billion investment based on a valuation of $260 billion. Analysts speculate that Musk’s offer may have been a strategic move to downplay OpenAI’s value, potentially seeking leverage in the ongoing rivalry.

Adding to the competitive landscape, Musk has launched xAI, a new artificial intelligence company positioned as a direct competitor to OpenAI. xAI aims to differentiate itself by adopting alternative approaches to AI development, particularly in terms of business ethics and operational models. Musk’s criticisms of OpenAI’s profit-oriented model remain central to xAI’s public positioning, with the company striving to establish itself as a major player in the rapidly expanding sector.

As Altman and Musk continue to clash over the future of AI development, the broader industry is observing how this rivalry will shape technological advancements. With Microsoft backing OpenAI, and xAI seeking its footing, competition in artificial intelligence is expected to intensify in the coming years.