Elon Musk Urges Merging with Tesla or Taking ‘Full Control’

Elon Musk and OpenAI: The Controversy Unveiled

Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, became entangled in a dispute with the AI research company OpenAI over control and strategic direction. Here are the key details:

Musk’s Demands

• In 2017, Musk expressed interest in either merging OpenAI with Tesla or gaining full control of the organization.
• He requested majority equity, control of the board of directors, and the CEO position.
• OpenAI resisted these demands, stating that such concentrated control by one individual contradicted its mission.

Failed Merger Attempts

• Despite discussions, the proposed merger between OpenAI and Tesla did not materialize.
• Musk suggested in 2018 that OpenAI could align with Tesla to obtain funding for its operations.

Lawsuit and Allegations

• In 2024, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair competition.
• He claimed that OpenAI had become a “closed-source de facto subsidiary” of Microsoft after a significant investment.

OpenAI’s Response

• OpenAI disputed Musk’s assertions, clarifying that the “Open” in its name did not mandate open-sourcing all its AI technology.
• The company expressed regret that the situation with Musk had led to legal action.

Future Actions

• OpenAI intends to challenge Musk’s claims in court and uphold its independence and research focus.
• Musk has yet to publicly respond to OpenAI’s blog post detailing the events.

For more insights on the controversy and its implications, stay tuned for updates on this ongoing dispute between Elon Musk and OpenAI.