A consortium led by Elon Musk has proposed a $97.4 billion acquisition of OpenAI, following his recent legal action against the organization.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed in 2018, has expressed concerns regarding its shift to a for-profit model, claiming it has deviated from its foundational goal of promoting open-source AI development.
He emphasized the need for OpenAI to revert to its original mission of being a safety-oriented, open-source entity.
The bid, supported by Musk's AI venture xAI, aims specifically at the non-profit segment that governs OpenAI, potentially paving the way for a merger if accepted.
However, CEO Sam Altman dismissed the offer with a sarcastic remark on social media, highlighting the ongoing friction between the two.
Musk's history with OpenAI includes a lawsuit over its restructuring plans, which he initially dropped but later reinstated.
His current proposal is backed by xAI and various investment firms, including one led by Joe Lonsdale, and Ari Emanuel's investment fund.
Musk's group is reportedly prepared to outbid any competing offers for OpenAI.
OpenAI has defended its restructuring as crucial for its sustainability and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, with plans to complete this transition by 2026.