In a definitive statement released this week, OpenAI’s board of directors has rejected an acquisition bid from tech mogul Elon Musk. OpenAI Chair, Bret Taylor, emphasized the company's commitment to its mission, declaring, "OpenAI is not for sale, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr. Musk’s latest attempt to disrupt his competition."
Elon Musk, backed by a coalition of investors, extended a substantial offer of $97.4 billion earlier in the week to acquire the AI research entity. OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, responded promptly on social media platform X, with a tongue-in-cheek counteroffer, suggesting, "No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."
Musk’s offer emerges at a pivotal time for OpenAI, which is navigating a transition to a for-profit model. The board’s decision reflects a commitment to safeguarding the non-profit roots and mission of the organization. Any future structural reorganization, according to Taylor, is intended to bolster the nonprofit’s mission to ensure Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) benefits humanity at large.
Adding a strategic maneuver to the situation, Musk’s legal team suggested a withdrawal of the acquisition proposal if OpenAI commits to remaining a nonprofit organization. However, Taylor’s assertions indicate no such concessions will be made, highlighting the board's vision for strengthening OpenAI’s foundational objectives rather than yielding to external pressures.
As the AI landscape evolves, with OpenAI at its forefront, the board's determination to maintain independence and focus on ethical AI development remains paramount. This latest board decision underscores OpenAI’s resolve to progress independently, and align any future changes with its core mission of benefitting humanity comprehensively.
Note: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect figure regarding Sam Altman's parody counteroffer related to Twitter.
