OpenAI rejects Musk’s $97.4 billion takeover bid

OpenAI’s Sam Altman rejects Musk’s $97.4 billion bid, calling it competitive, as tensions rise with conflicting interests.

In Short

OpenAI has rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion takeover bid, viewing it as a competitive strategy. The company’s CEO, Sam Altman, and its board members, including Bret Taylor, have ongoing rivalries with Musk amid broader industry dynamics.

OpenAI has officially rejected Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion takeover bid.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, described Musk’s offer as a competitive strategy rather than a genuine acquisition attempt.

The board of OpenAI, which manages both its nonprofit and for-profit sectors, has not received any formal communication regarding the bid from Musk.

Currently, OpenAI is in the process of raising a funding round that could elevate its valuation to $300 billion, nearly double its previous worth.

A notable point of contention arises from Bret Taylor, former chairman of Twitter, who now oversees OpenAI’s board and has previously had disagreements with Musk over the Twitter acquisition.

In response to the takeover bid, Altman light-heartedly remarked on social media: “No thank you, but we’ll buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”

This exchange highlights ongoing rivalries in the tech sector and the strategic manoeuvres of influential figures like Musk and Altman.

As the landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact both OpenAI and Musk’s future endeavours.