OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly criticised Elon Musk, describing the Tesla and xAI chief as "insecure" and unwilling to compete by improving his own technology.
The remarks come after Musk's reported $97 billion bid to take over OpenAI was firmly rejected.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Altman was direct in his response to Musk's attempted buyout, stating: "OpenAI is not for sale. The OpenAI mission is not for sale. Elon tries all sorts of things for a long time. This is, you know, this week's episode."
His dismissive stance suggested that Musk’s efforts did not concern him, emphasising that such actions were not new.
Altman further accused Musk of attempting to hinder OpenAI's progress in artificial intelligence (AI) instead of focusing on innovation.
"I think he is probably just trying to slow us down. He obviously is a competitor. He has raised a lot of money for xAI and they are trying to compete with us from a technological perspective... I wish he would just compete by building a better product," Altman remarked.
Perhaps the most pointed part of the discussion was Altman’s take on Musk’s personality. When asked whether Musk’s tactics stemmed from insecurity over his AI aspirations, Altman responded: "Probably his whole life is from a position of insecurity. I feel for the guy. I don’t think he is like a happy person."
Elon Musk-led group proposes buying OpenAI for $97.4 billion. OpenAI CEO says ‘no thank you’
The interview has since gone viral, intensifying the long-standing rivalry between the two tech magnates. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, left the organisation in 2018 following reported disagreements over its direction. Since then, he has been a vocal critic of OpenAI and its leadership, particularly Altman.
Musk's latest buyout offer, made in partnership with his AI startup xAI and a group of investors, was intended to restore OpenAI to its original nonprofit research model.
However, Altman swiftly dismissed the bid and even mocked Musk on X (formerly Twitter), stating: "No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."
The rivalry has further escalated amid Musk's increasing influence in US policy circles, particularly with his proximity to former President Donald Trump. Musk’s role in the government-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked concerns about his sway over AI-related policies. When asked about this, Altman remained unconcerned, responding: "Maybe I should, but not particularly. I try to just wake up and think about how we are going to make our technology better."
With the AI race heating up, the friction between Musk and Altman is unlikely to subside anytime soon, setting the stage for more clashes between two of the most prominent figures in the industry.
Source: India Today (revised)