Elon Musk Sought Zuckerberg’s Backing in OpenAI Acquisition Attempt
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San Francisco, CA – August 22, 2025 – In a surprising turn of events, Elon Musk approached Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for financial support in a proposed $97.6 billion acquisition of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence firm behind chatgpt. This revelation, disclosed in a recent court filing, highlights the escalating rivalry and strategic maneuvering within the rapidly evolving AI industry.
Musk’s Failed Bid and Zuckerberg’s Rejection
According to court documents, Musk and his AI startup, xAI, engaged in discussions with zuckerberg regarding ”possible financing agreements or investments” in OpenAI. However, Meta neither signed a declaration of intent nor committed any capital to the proposed deal. This rejection comes as Meta itself is aggressively developing its own AI capabilities and competing directly with OpenAI in the marketplace.
In February,legal counsel for Musk confirmed the $97.6 billion offer-equivalent to approximately 84.2 billion euros-had been submitted to OpenAI’s board. The offer was ultimately declined by the company.neither xAI nor OpenAI promptly responded to requests for comment,while Meta declined to issue a statement.
A History of Discord: Musk and OpenAI
The attempted acquisition is rooted in a complex history between Musk and OpenAI. Musk was a co-founder of the AI research company in 2015, alongside Sam Altman and others, initially envisioning it as a non-profit institution dedicated to safe AI development. He departed the board in 2018 due to disagreements over the company’s direction, specifically its shift toward a for-profit structure and a partnership with Microsoft [[1]].
Following his departure, Musk founded xAI as a direct competitor to openai. He has since filed two lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging violations of its founding contract and prioritizing commercial interests over the common good. Musk publicly criticized Altman, referring to him as “Scam Altman” earlier this year.
Did You Know? The initial goal of OpenAI was to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) in a way that benefits all of humanity, a vision Musk seemingly felt was compromised by the company’s later decisions.
Broader Industry Competition
The pursuit of OpenAI underscores the intense competition in the AI sector. Meta has substantially ramped up its AI investments, particularly in large language models and chatbots to rival ChatGPT. Last year,the company initiated a talent war,offering lucrative compensation packages-reaching up to $100 million-to researchers from leading AI labs,including OpenAI. Notable hires include former GitHub CEO Nat friedman, Scale AI’s former CEO Alexandr Wang, and OpenAI researchers Shengjia Zhao, Shuchao Bi, Jiahui Yu, and Hongyu.
The court filing also reveals OpenAI’s request for a judge to compel Meta to disclose any communications between the social media giant and Musk or xAI. This suggests OpenAI is actively seeking to understand the extent of any collaboration or coordination between its rivals.
Pro Tip: Understanding the competitive landscape in AI is crucial for investors and technology enthusiasts alike, as these companies are shaping the future of technology.
Key Events timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Elon Musk co-founds OpenAI. |
| 2018 | Musk departs OpenAI’s board due to strategic disagreements. |
| February 2025 | Musk’s $97.6 billion acquisition offer for OpenAI is confirmed. |
| August 22, 2025 | Court filing reveals Musk’s attempt to secure Zuckerberg’s investment. |
what implications will this failed acquisition attempt have on the future development of OpenAI and xAI? And how will Meta’s continued investment in AI shape the competitive landscape?
The AI Landscape: A Rapidly Evolving Field
The artificial intelligence sector is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation. Driven by advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, AI is transforming industries ranging from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment. The competition among major players like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft is fierce, with each company vying for dominance in this transformative technology. The ethical considerations surrounding AI development, including bias, privacy, and job displacement, are also gaining increasing attention. As AI continues to evolve, it will be crucial to address these challenges and ensure that the technology is used responsibly and for the benefit of society.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elon Musk and OpenAI
- What was the amount of Elon Musk’s offer to buy OpenAI? Elon Musk offered $97.6 billion (approximately 84.2 billion euros) to acquire OpenAI.
- Why did Elon Musk leave OpenAI? Musk departed OpenAI’s board in 2018 due to disagreements over the company’s strategic direction, particularly its shift towards a for-profit model.
- Did Mark Zuckerberg invest in OpenAI with Elon Musk? No, Mark Zuckerberg and Meta did not invest in OpenAI alongside Elon Musk.
- What is xAI? xAI is an artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk as a competitor to OpenAI.
- What is OpenAI currently focused on? OpenAI is currently focused on developing and deploying advanced AI technologies, including ChatGPT and other large language models.
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