Elon Musk and some investors once offered $97.4 billion to buy OpenAI, but its CEO, Sam Altman, refused the deal. On the social media platform X, Altman joked, “No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” His comment was made in a lighthearted way, but it also showed that there is some tension between him and Musk.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, has often spoken about his concerns regarding the company’s direction. Even though he helped start OpenAI, he sometimes criticizes how things are done there. Altman’s joke was a way of pushing back against Musk’s serious proposal while also highlighting their differences.
In another surprising move, former President Donald Trump announced a massive $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence. His plan involved teaming up with companies like OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. However, Musk quickly dismissed Trump’s announcement, showing that not everyone in the tech world agrees on the best path forward for AI.
OpenAI is now valued at around $340 billion, which makes it one of the most valuable private companies in the world. Despite these huge numbers and big offers, Altman seems focused on maintaining OpenAI’s own vision rather than getting involved in expensive deals or rivalries.
These events remind us that even in the high-stakes tech industry, disagreements and humor can go hand in hand as leaders shape the future of technology.
