The Unrevealed Alliance? Elon Musk Reportedly Tapped Mark Zuckerberg for $97 Billion OpenAI Takeover Bid

In a revelation that has sent ripples through the tech world, court documents have shed light on a surprising attempt by Elon Musk to secure funding from an unlikely ally: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The filing, part of X Corp's lawsuit against Media Matters, details how Musk reportedly approached Zuckerberg to help finance a colossal $97 billion bid to take over OpenAI.

This extraordinary proposition occurred at a critical juncture in OpenAI's history, back when it was still operating as a non-profit entity.

The court filing, which has brought this previously unknown detail to light, indicates that despite the fierce rivalry often characterizing the relationship between the two tech titans, Musk saw Zuckerberg as a potential partner in his grand vision for the AI research firm.

The context for this audacious move lies in Musk's increasingly vocal disillusionment with OpenAI.

As a co-founder of the organization, Musk has repeatedly expressed his dismay over what he perceives as a deviation from its original mission. He initially envisioned OpenAI as a non-profit dedicated to ensuring AI benefits all of humanity, rather than becoming a for-profit venture influenced by corporate interests.

Musk's recent criticisms have intensified, particularly regarding OpenAI's strategic shift to a for-profit model and its close partnership with Microsoft.

He has gone as far as to label OpenAI a “de facto subsidiary of Microsoft,” arguing that its current trajectory compromises its foundational principles of open-source development and benefit to mankind. This sentiment underscores his strong belief that the company has strayed significantly from its initial ethical and operational framework.

The lawsuit against Media Matters, from which this revelation emerged, centers on allegations made by the watchdog group that X (formerly Twitter) is failing to curb extremist content, leading to a significant exodus of advertisers.

X Corp has vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the allegations are false and damaging to its business. The inclusion of this detail about Zuckerberg in the court filing highlights the intricate and often dramatic behind-the-scenes maneuverings within the tech industry.

While the bid itself did not materialize into a takeover, the mere fact that Musk considered enlisting Zuckerberg for such a massive undertaking speaks volumes about the perceived value and strategic importance of OpenAI, even in its earlier, non-profit phase.

It also offers a rare glimpse into the complex and sometimes contradictory relationships between the most powerful figures in technology, where competitive lines can blur when monumental opportunities arise.