The ongoing feud between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk has escalated, with Altman publicly calling his former co-founder “clearly a bully” in a recent interview with The Free Press. The two tech titans, who once collaborated to launch OpenAI together, now find themselves on opposite sides of a bitter dispute that has become increasingly personal and legally complex.
The conflict stems from Musk’s departure from OpenAI in 2018, after which he became one of the AI startup’s most vocal critics. In August, Musk refiled a lawsuit alleging that Altman and fellow co-founder Greg Brockman “deceived” him into starting the company. The Tesla CEO has also taken legal action to prevent OpenAI from transitioning into a for-profit entity, a move that represents a significant shift from the organization’s original non-profit mission.
OpenAI responded to Musk’s allegations by releasing a cache of internal emails that revealed Musk himself had advocated for a for-profit structure during his time at the company. This revelation undermined Musk’s current legal arguments and added another layer to the increasingly contentious relationship.
In the Thursday interview, Altman acknowledged Musk’s contributions to OpenAI’s early success, describing him as a “legendary entrepreneur” who provided crucial support during the startup’s formative years. However, Altman didn’t hold back in his criticism, noting that Musk “clearly likes to get into fights” and pointing to the billionaire’s well-documented feuds with other tech leaders like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.
Altman suggested that Musk’s hostility stems from two primary factors: OpenAI’s recent success and the fact that Musk now operates a direct competitor. In 2023, Musk launched xAI, his own artificial intelligence startup, which has since released multiple versions of its chatbot Grok. According to Altman, Musk left OpenAI when he believed the company was destined to fail and when he couldn’t secure “total control” over the organization.
“Everything we’re doing, I believe Elon would be happy about if he were in control of OpenAI,” Altman stated, suggesting that Musk’s criticism is driven more by ego and competition than genuine philosophical differences about AI development.
The timing of these comments is particularly significant as Musk prepares to take on an influential role in the second Trump administration. Despite this upcoming political power, Altman expressed confidence that Musk wouldn’t abuse his position to target business rivals, stating that some people “will really be a jerk on Twitter who will still not abuse the system of the country.”
Key Quotes
He’s also clearly a bully, and he’s also someone who clearly likes to get into fights
Sam Altman’s direct characterization of Elon Musk in The Free Press interview, marking one of his most pointed public criticisms of his former OpenAI co-founder. This statement reflects the deteriorating relationship between two of AI’s most prominent figures.
Everything we’re doing, I believe Elon would be happy about if he were in control of OpenAI
Altman’s analysis of Musk’s motivations, suggesting that the billionaire’s criticism stems not from genuine disagreement about AI development but from losing control of the organization he helped create. This insight frames the conflict as primarily about power and ego rather than technological philosophy.
He left when he thought we were on a trajectory to certainly fail, and also when we wouldn’t do something where he had total control over the company
Altman’s explanation for why Musk departed OpenAI in 2018, revealing that control issues and pessimism about the company’s prospects drove the split. This quote is particularly significant given OpenAI’s subsequent success with ChatGPT and its position as an AI industry leader.
I think there are people who will really be a jerk on Twitter who will still not abuse the system of the country
Altman’s measured response to concerns about Musk’s upcoming political role in the Trump administration, suggesting he doesn’t believe Musk will use government power to target business rivals despite their personal feud. This statement attempts to separate personal conflicts from institutional concerns.
Our Take
This public confrontation between Altman and Musk represents more than a personal dispute—it’s a window into the power dynamics shaping AI’s future. The irony is striking: Musk now criticizes OpenAI’s for-profit pivot while his own emails show he advocated for exactly that structure. This suggests the conflict is less about principles and more about control and competition, especially given xAI’s direct rivalry with OpenAI.
What’s particularly concerning is how individual egos and personal grievances could influence AI governance at a critical juncture. With Musk gaining political leverage and both leaders controlling major AI companies, their feud could have outsized impacts on regulation, funding, and public perception of AI safety. The fact that Altman felt compelled to publicly call Musk a “bully” indicates the relationship has deteriorated beyond repair, potentially fragmenting efforts toward responsible AI development that might benefit from collaboration rather than competition.
Why This Matters
This public feud between two of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence carries significant implications for the AI industry’s future direction and governance. The conflict highlights fundamental tensions about how AI companies should be structured, funded, and controlled as they develop increasingly powerful technologies.
The dispute also raises important questions about AI safety, corporate governance, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few tech billionaires. With Musk gaining political influence through his role in the Trump administration while simultaneously running xAI, and Altman leading the most prominent AI company in OpenAI, their rivalry could shape regulatory approaches to AI development.
Furthermore, the battle over OpenAI’s transition from non-profit to for-profit status represents a critical inflection point for AI ethics and accountability. How this legal and public relations battle resolves could set precedents for other AI organizations navigating similar structural questions. The personal nature of the conflict also demonstrates how individual personalities and egos can influence the trajectory of transformative technologies, potentially affecting billions of people worldwide as AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-elon-musk-is-clearly-a-bully-2024-12