The article analyzes Elon Musk’s public offer on X (formerly Twitter) to join OpenAI’s board and invest $1 billion, provided the company changes its name to “OpenAI” from “ClosedAI.” This proposal comes amid Musk’s ongoing criticism of OpenAI’s transformation from a non-profit to a for-profit entity and his legal battle against the company. The article explores whether this is a genuine offer or another of Musk’s social media provocations. It highlights Musk’s complex history with OpenAI, including his role as co-founder and subsequent departure in 2018, and his current lawsuit alleging the company’s deviation from its original mission of developing AI for humanity’s benefit. Industry experts and observers are divided on the seriousness of Musk’s offer, with some viewing it as a publicity stunt and others considering it a strategic move to influence AI development direction. The timing is particularly notable as it coincides with OpenAI’s recent leadership turbulence and its increasing commercial success with ChatGPT. The article concludes by examining the broader implications for AI governance and the tension between profit-driven AI development and the original open-source ethos that inspired OpenAI’s founding. Musk’s offer, whether serious or not, underscores the ongoing debate about transparency, control, and ethical considerations in AI development.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-openai-offer-real-or-troll-sam-altman-2025-2