Court documents filed Thursday revealed a previously undisclosed attempt by Elon Musk to acquire OpenAI for a staggering $97.4 billion in early 2025. The filings, part of an ongoing legal battle between Musk and the AI company he co-founded, show that Musk approached Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeking financial backing for the ambitious takeover. This request, made in the form of a letter of intent, adds a significant layer to the already complex legal dispute.
The lawsuit stems from Musk’s disagreement with OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, a move he vehemently opposed. The acrimony between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, once close friends, has intensified since OpenAI’s rise to prominence in the generative AI field, fueled by substantial investment from Microsoft. Musk’s subsequent founding of xAI, a direct competitor to OpenAI, further exacerbated the tensions.
OpenAI’s counterclaim alleges that Musk’s takeover bid was a deliberate attempt to harm the company’s business, characterizing it as a “sham.” They further accuse Musk of harassment through various means, including litigation and public attacks on social media. As part of its legal strategy, OpenAI has subpoenaed Meta for any communications between Zuckerberg and Musk regarding the proposed acquisition, seeking to uncover the extent of Zuckerberg’s involvement or knowledge.
Meta, which has been aggressively investing in its own AI capabilities and actively recruiting top AI talent, declined to comment on the matter. While Meta’s spokesperson remained silent, the filing noted Meta’s substantial investment in AI development, including offering multi-million dollar compensation packages to leading researchers and pursuing OpenAI employees. Meanwhile, Musk’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment. This ongoing legal battle illuminates the fierce competition and escalating stakes within the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.
