OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has decisively rejected an audacious $97.4 billion takeover bid from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The proposal, which aimed to acquire all of OpenAI’s assets, was swiftly dismissed by Altman, who reaffirmed OpenAI’s unwavering commitment to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the betterment of humanity.
Speaking at the AI Action Summit in Paris, Altman emphasized the company’s unique position in the technology sector. “We are an unusual organization with a mission to make AGI benefit all of humanity, and we are here to do that,” he stated, as reported by BBC News.
Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI alongside Altman in 2015, parted ways with the organization in 2018 due to strategic differences. Since then, Musk has been an outspoken advocate for ethical AI development and has often criticized OpenAI’s shift towards commercialization.
According to BBC News, Elon Musk, through his attorney Marc Toberoff, submitted the multibillion-dollar offer on Monday, positioning it as an effort to return OpenAI to its non-profit origins and its founding mission. While this rationale might seem altruistic on the surface, it has raised eyebrows within the tech community.
Despite Elon Musk’s stated desire to steer OpenAI back to its original mission, industry experts have questioned the true motivation behind the bid. Given Musk’s ownership of xAI, a competing AI firm, skepticism abounds regarding whether his proposal was genuinely aimed at advancing ethical AI development or simply an attempt to dominate the AI sector.
Tech investor Christie Pitts voiced her doubts in an interview with BBC News, saying, “He has a competitor himself… which is structured as a for-profit company, so I think there’s more than meets the eye here.” Her sentiments echo the broader industry’s suspicions that Musk’s bid may have been more about business strategy than principle.
Altman did not shy away from addressing the underlying competitive tensions between OpenAI and Elon Musk. In a statement to Axios, he suggested that Elon Musk’s attempt to acquire OpenAI was driven more by business rivalry than by a commitment to OpenAI’s stated mission. “He’s a competitor who is not able to beat us in the market and is just trying to say, ‘I’m gonna buy this,’ with total disregard for the mission,” Altman remarked.
OpenAI’s rapid progress in AI innovation, particularly with its ChatGPT models and advanced machine learning capabilities, has positioned it as a leader in the industry. Elon Musk’s xAI, while still in its early stages, aims to develop AI systems that rival OpenAI’s products, adding to speculation that his takeover bid was an attempt to neutralize competition.
With Altman at the helm, OpenAI remains steadfast in its mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity. The company continues to balance innovation with ethical considerations, working toward AI safety and alignment. Elon Musk’s bid, though unsuccessful, underscores the growing strategic value of AI and the power struggles unfolding in the sector.
As AI continues to shape the future, OpenAI’s rejection of Elon Musk’s offer signals its commitment to remaining independent and mission-driven, prioritizing long-term societal benefits over short-term financial gain. Whether Elon Musk will make another attempt or shift his focus solely to xAI remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—OpenAI is not for sale.
In other news – Kariba Dam water levels rise, offering relief to Zimbabwe and Zambia
The water levels at the Kariba Dam, which is jointly managed by Zimbabwe and Zambia, have seen a steady increase in recent months, offering a glimmer of hope for both nations. The Kariba Dam, the world’s largest man-made lake by volume, is a vital source of hydroelectric power for both countries. However, prolonged drought conditions in recent years had significantly reduced water levels, leading to power shortages.
Fortunately, consistent rainfall across the region has resulted in a gradual rise in water levels since January 2025. As of early March, water levels have risen from 475.77 meters in January to 476.73 meters, bringing relief to power utilities in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Forecasts indicate that water levels could surpass 479 meters by July, improving hydroelectric power generation in the coming months. Read More
