“No thank you, but we’ll buy Twitter for US$9.74 billion if you want,” Sam Altman
When two of the most influential brains in tech collide, sparks are bound to ignite.
Elon Musk, the larger-than-life billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has made headlines once again.
This time, he’s pursuing a whopping US$97.4 Billion (RM 435 billion) bid to acquire OpenAI, the pioneering AI powerhouse responsible for the development of ChatGPT.
However, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has a quick-witted response: “No thank you, but we’ll buy Twitter for US$9.74 billion if you want.”
The expected exchange between these tech titans is setting the stage for one of the most intriguing power plays in recent times.
Opposing Views on AI’s Future
Musk and Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with a noble mission—to develop AI technology that serves the best interests of humanity.
As anticipated, tensions began simmering when OpenAI decided to transition from a non-profit to a for-profit model, citing the need for substantial capital to advance its AI models.
Musk, who left OpenAI before its meteoric rise, strongly opposes this move.
He’s gone as far as suing the company to block the transition, claiming that the focus on profit undermines the original mission.
“It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was,” Musk is quoted in a media release.
Bid Financing is No Easy Feat
On February 10, Musk’s consortium—which comprises his AI start-up xAI, Baron Capital Group, and Emanuel Capital—offered an astronomical US$132 billion to take control of OpenAI.
The bid has been described as a game-changer, with analysts predicting it could disrupt OpenAI’s current fundraising efforts and ambitions to shift toward a profit-driven structure.
Financing such a massive deal is no small feat.
While Musk’s Tesla shares are valued at approximately US$165 billion, his leverage with banks has thinned after his US$44 billion acquisition of Twitter.
Still, insiders suggest he could tap into his stake in rocket company SpaceX or seek loans to secure the funds.
Sam Altman’s Cheeky Repartee
Altman’s cheeky repartee on X wasn’t just a viral moment—it was a sharp reminder of his determination to keep OpenAI independent.
His offer to purchase Twitter for US$9.74 billion, a fraction of what Musk paid, subtly pointed to the platform’s declining valuation under Musk’s ownership.
Behind the humour, there’s a serious undertone.
Altman and his team strongly believe that staying independent and profit-focused is imperative for OpenAI’s continued innovation and leadership in the rapidly expanding AI landscape.
Musk’s “Greater Good” Agenda
Musk has repeatedly expressed concerns about AI safety and the ethical development of powerful technologies.
By regaining control of OpenAI, he hopes to steer it back toward transparency and public benefit.
However, his critics argue that Musk’s involvement may not necessarily align with the “greater good”—especially given his recent political alliances and controversial moves at X.
Rose Chan Loui, executive director of the UCLA Law Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profits, remarked, “Musk’s bid sets a marker for the valuation of the non-profit’s economic interests. If OpenAI values the non-profit’s interests at less than what Musk is offering, then they would have to show why.”
A Battle of Idealogies and Influence
While Musk’s offer raises eyebrows, analysts suggest OpenAI may struggle to ignore it.
The bid is backed by credible investors, and regulatory challenges loom as OpenAI faces a major evolution.
The world keenly watches as Musk and Altman continue their tug-of-war over the future of AI innovation.
One thing is clear—this is more than just a corporate showdown; it’s a battle of ideologies, ambition, and influence.
As generative AI technology reshapes industries, the outcome of this high-stakes drama will undoubtedly have far-reaching impact beyond Silicon Valley.
