Elon Musk attempted to enlist Mark Zuckerberg's help in his $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI earlier this year. According to court filings, Musk approached Zuckerberg with a letter of intent about potential financing arrangements or investments for the takeover bid. However, Zuckerberg did not join the bid, and OpenAI's board formally rejected Musk's offer in February.
Musk's bid was part of a larger effort to gain control of OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015 but left in 2018 due to disagreements over the company's direction. Musk has since started a rival AI company, xAI, and has been locked in a legal battle with OpenAI over its transition to a for-profit model.
The two tech giants have a history of public feuds, including a notable exchange in 2023 where they discussed a potential cage fight. Despite their rivalry, Musk saw an opportunity to partner with Zuckerberg to further his interests in AI. OpenAI is now seeking documents from Meta related to any communication with Musk about the bid, while Meta argues that its communications are not relevant to the case.
The ongoing conflict between Musk and OpenAI highlights the complex dynamics of leadership in the AI industry, where personal and professional interests often intersect. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these power struggles will shape the future of AI development and governance.
