In an astonishing development that blends rivalry, ambition, and high-stakes tech drama, the ChatGPT maker has revealed that Elon Musk OpenAI bid attempts included a surprising twist: reaching out to Mark Zuckerberg for financial backing.
The news, which surfaced amid escalating legal disputes and internal power shifts at OpenAI, shines a spotlight on the power dynamics shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Elon Musk, a long-time critic of OpenAI direction and once a founding supporter of the company, has reportedly been exploring ways to regain influence over the AI organization.
According to insiders at OpenAI, Musk made a bold move earlier this year, seeking $97 billion to acquire or take control of the company he once helped create—and part of that effort included engaging none other than Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
This unexpected twist in the ongoing saga of artificial intelligence leadership marks a rare intersection between two of Silicon Valley’s most visible rivals.
In this TazaJunction.com article, we explore how the Elon Musk OpenAI bid evolved, why Zuckerberg was approached, and what this means for the tech industry at large.
Table of Contents
The Origin of the OpenAI Power Struggle
Elon Musk was one of the co-founders of OpenAI in 2015, along with Sam Altman and other prominent figures. At the time, the organization’s goal was to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) in a way that would benefit all of humanity. However, by 2018, Musk left the board, citing potential conflicts with his work at Tesla on autonomous driving.
Since then, tensions have grown between Musk and OpenAI’s current leadership. Musk has openly criticized OpenAI’s transformation from a non-profit to a capped-profit company and has argued that the company strayed from its original mission.
This growing divide culminated in what sources now identify as the Elon Musk OpenAI bid to wrest control back—or at least exert serious influence over its direction.
The $97 Billion Valuation: What’s at Stake
OpenAI’s estimated valuation has ballooned in recent years, thanks in large part to the explosive popularity of ChatGPT and enterprise AI applications. A recent funding round pegged the company’s value near $97 billion, making it one of the most valuable AI startups in history.
This is the figure at the center of the Elon Musk OpenAI bid—a staggering amount that would require support from major financial institutions or high-profile tech investors. Musk, despite his immense wealth, would likely need external partners to make such a move viable.
That’s where Mark Zuckerberg comes in.
Elon Musk’s Approach to Zuckerberg: An Unlikely Alliance?
The revelation that Elon Musk approached Zuckerberg for help financing the OpenAI bid is as surprising as it is ironic. The two tech titans have famously clashed in the past, particularly over the future of AI. Musk has frequently warned of AI’s dangers, while Zuckerberg has historically taken a more optimistic stance.
Their rivalry became especially public in 2017, when Musk criticized Zuckerberg’s understanding of AI during a Facebook Live event. Zuckerberg shot back, calling Musk’s views “pretty irresponsible.”
And yet, according to sources within OpenAI, the Elon Musk OpenAI bid included outreach to Zuckerberg—perhaps as a pragmatic move to combine resources in the face of a rapidly consolidating AI market.
Whether the talks were serious or exploratory remains unclear, but their existence signals just how high the stakes have become in the race to control the future of artificial intelligence.
Strategic Motives Behind the Bid
Why would Elon Musk go to such lengths—even attempting to form an unlikely alliance—to regain influence over OpenAI?
There are several plausible reasons:
1. Control Over AGI Development
Musk has long warned of the potential dangers of artificial general intelligence falling into the wrong hands. Regaining influence at OpenAI would allow him to shape its development trajectory.
2. Competitive Edge
As CEO of xAI, Musk is already pursuing his own generative AI platform. The Elon Musk OpenAI bid could be a strategic maneuver to either integrate OpenAI’s technologies or neutralize a key competitor.
3. Personal and Ideological Motivation
Musk likely feels a personal connection—and perhaps ownership—of OpenAI’s original mission. His bid may reflect a desire to return the company to what he believes were its founding principles.
The ChatGPT Maker’s Response
In response to questions about the alleged Elon Musk OpenAI bid, executives at OpenAI have confirmed that there was contact from Musk’s team, although they have downplayed its seriousness.
One executive reportedly stated, “We’re aware of external interest in our company, including from past collaborators. However, our focus remains on building safe, scalable AI products that serve humanity.”
The company has declined to comment further on whether any formal offer was made, or how far discussions may have progressed.
The Zuckerberg Angle: What’s in It for Meta?
While it’s unclear whether Zuckerberg entertained Musk’s proposal seriously, the idea itself raises intriguing questions.
Meta has been working aggressively on its own AI models, including LLaMA, and has taken an open-source approach quite different from OpenAI’s more closed system. Partnering on an Elon Musk OpenAI bid would signal a shift in Meta’s strategy—one possibly driven by a desire to stay ahead in the fast-moving AI space.
Alternatively, Zuckerberg may have seen the bid as a leverage opportunity—to gain insight, disrupt a competitor, or position Meta more favorably within regulatory discussions around AI.
Industry Reactions: What Analysts Are Saying?
Reactions to the Elon Musk OpenAI bid have been swift and varied across the tech industry:
- Some view it as a power play designed to shake up the leadership at OpenAI and redirect its path.
- Others see it as a long shot, given the enormous financial and legal hurdles such a takeover would face.
- Many express concern over consolidating so much AI influence under one individual, especially someone as polarizing as Musk.
Regardless of where you stand, the fact that Musk is seriously exploring a multi-billion dollar bid—potentially with Zuckerberg involved—indicates how central AI has become to the future of global technology.
What This Means for the Future of AI?
If the Elon Musk OpenAI bid were ever to materialize in full, it would mark one of the most significant shakeups in the AI landscape to date. The ripple effects could be enormous:
- Regulatory scrutiny would likely intensify, especially regarding antitrust issues.
- Corporate partnerships might realign, as other tech companies react to shifts in AI leadership.
- AI development models could change, with debates over open vs. closed approaches taking center stage.
For now, OpenAI remains independent, and Musk’s xAI continues to develop its own models. But the very idea of this bid—and the potential involvement of Mark Zuckerberg—illustrates just how fast the industry is evolving.
Final Thoughts
The news that Elon Musk OpenAI bid efforts included turning to longtime rival Mark Zuckerberg is a compelling reminder of how unpredictable the AI race has become.
As companies battle for dominance over a technology that could redefine every aspect of society, the lines between competitors, collaborators, and disruptors continue to blur.
Whether or not this specific bid becomes reality, the message is clear: the future of AI is not just about algorithms—it’s about who controls them, who funds them, and what values they bring to their development.
As we watch this saga unfold, one thing is certain: the next chapters in the world of artificial intelligence will be written not only by engineers and researchers, but also by billionaires, boardrooms, and bold, unexpected alliances.