Sam Altman has publicly dismissed Elon Musk’s surprise $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s nonprofit arm, calling it a strategic move to slow down a competitor rather than a genuine effort to reshape the AI company. In a candid interview with Bloomberg TV at the Paris AI Action Summit on Tuesday, the OpenAI CEO suggested that Musk’s actions stem from personal insecurity, stating “I don’t think he’s a happy person. I do feel for him.”
The unsolicited takeover bid, led by Musk alongside other investment firms on Monday, was framed by the Tesla CEO as an attempt to return OpenAI to being an “open-source, safety-focused force for good.” However, Altman sees through this narrative, telling Bloomberg: “I think he’s probably just trying to slow us down. He obviously is a competitor. He’s working hard, and he’s raised a lot of money for xAI.”
Musk’s xAI is building rival AI models, positioning itself as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other products. Altman expressed frustration with Musk’s competitive tactics, saying “I wish he would just compete by building better a product. But I think there have been a lot of tactics — many, many lawsuits, all sorts of other crazy stuff, now this.”
OpenAI has made it clear the company is not for sale. When asked by CNBC how seriously he was taking Musk’s bid, Altman responded “Not particularly.” He even trolled Musk on X (formerly Twitter), offering to buy the social media platform for $9.74 billion, to which Musk replied simply: “Swindler.”
The rivalry between these two AI titans has been escalating for years. Musk was a cofounder of OpenAI with Altman but severed ties in 2018. Since then, he has filed multiple lawsuits against the company—one in March 2024 accusing OpenAI of betraying its founding principles (later dropped), and another in August alleging manipulation into cofounding the company as a nonprofit. Musk has also criticized OpenAI’s close partnership with Microsoft, arguing the company no longer acts in the public interest.
Adding complexity to the feud is Musk’s proximity to political power, given his close ties to President Donald Trump. When asked if he was concerned about Musk’s political influence, Altman downplayed the threat: “Maybe I should. But not particularly. I try to just wake up and think about how we’re going to make our technology better.”
Key Quotes
Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity. I feel for the guy. I don’t think he’s a happy person. I do feel for him.
Sam Altman’s surprisingly personal assessment of Elon Musk during a Bloomberg TV interview, suggesting that Musk’s aggressive competitive tactics and takeover bid stem from deeper psychological issues rather than legitimate business concerns.
I think he’s probably just trying to slow us down. He obviously is a competitor. He’s working hard, and he’s raised a lot of money for xAI. They’re trying to compete with us from a technological perspective.
Altman’s frank acknowledgment that Musk’s $97.4 billion bid is a competitive tactic rather than a genuine acquisition attempt, highlighting the direct rivalry between OpenAI and Musk’s xAI venture.
I wish he would just compete by building better a product. But I think there have been a lot of tactics — many, many lawsuits, all sorts of other crazy stuff, now this.
Altman expressing frustration with Musk’s approach to competition, which has included multiple lawsuits and now an unsolicited takeover bid, rather than focusing purely on product development and innovation.
Maybe I should. But not particularly. I try to just wake up and think about how we’re going to make our technology better.
Altman’s response when asked if he’s worried about Musk’s political influence through his relationship with President Trump, demonstrating a strategy of focusing on product development rather than political maneuvering.
Our Take
This clash represents more than personal animosity—it’s a defining moment for AI’s competitive landscape. Altman’s willingness to publicly question Musk’s psychological motivations is remarkably bold, suggesting confidence in OpenAI’s position despite the formidable challenge xAI represents. The $97.4 billion bid, whether genuine or performative, demonstrates how AI valuations have reached astronomical levels, with leading companies now valued comparably to major tech giants.
What’s particularly notable is how this feud encapsulates broader tensions in AI development: open-source versus proprietary models, nonprofit versus commercial structures, and the role of massive corporate backing. Musk’s criticism of OpenAI’s Microsoft partnership rings somewhat hollow given xAI’s own substantial fundraising, suggesting this is more about competitive positioning than philosophical principles. The political dimension adds unpredictability—Musk’s Trump connection could reshape regulatory landscapes in ways that favor his ventures, making Altman’s apparent nonchalance either strategic confidence or potential underestimation of political risk.
Why This Matters
This public confrontation between two of AI’s most influential figures highlights the intensifying competition in the artificial intelligence industry. As OpenAI continues to dominate with ChatGPT and enterprise AI solutions, Musk’s xAI represents a well-funded challenger backed by one of tech’s most controversial entrepreneurs. The $97.4 billion bid—whether serious or strategic theater—underscores the enormous valuations now attached to leading AI companies.
The feud also raises important questions about AI governance and corporate structure. Musk’s criticism of OpenAI’s transformation from nonprofit to capped-profit entity reflects broader debates about how AI development should be organized and funded. His calls for open-source, safety-focused AI development contrast with OpenAI’s increasingly commercial approach backed by Microsoft’s billions.
Perhaps most significantly, Musk’s political connections add a new dimension to competitive dynamics in AI. His relationship with the Trump administration could potentially influence regulatory decisions, government contracts, and policy frameworks that shape the industry’s future. Altman’s apparent lack of concern may reflect confidence in OpenAI’s market position, but the intersection of AI competition and political power bears watching as the technology becomes increasingly central to economic and national security interests.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-elon-musk-openai-bid-insecure-rivalry-2025-2