OpenAI rejects Musk's billion-dollar offer: We are not for sale

OpenAI has rejected a $97.4 billion offer from a consortium led by billionaire Elon Musk, saying the startup is not for sale.

This is Musk's latest attempt to block the startup he co-founded with CEO Sam Altman — but later left.

"OpenAI is not for sale, and the board unanimously rejected Musk's latest attempt. Any potential reorganization of OpenAI will strengthen our nonprofit organization and its mission," OpenAI said.

On Tuesday, Altman told the news website Axios that OpenAI was not for sale.

He had rejected the offer with a "no thanks" on X, prompting Musk to retort: ​​"Fraudster."

Read too Musk will withdraw nearly $100 billion offer for OpenAI - only if one condition is not met

While the Musk-led consortium, including his startup xAI, would withdraw its bid for the nonprofit arm of OpenAI if it abandons plans to become a for-profit entity, the report says. the Guardian, the Telegraph reports.

Other investors in the consortium reportedly include Valor Equity Partners, Baron Capital and Ari Emanuel.

Otherwise, Altman and Musk have been at odds for years.

After Musk's departure in 2019, OpenAI created a for-profit arm that has attracted billions of dollars in funding, sparking accusations from Musk that the startup violated its original mission by putting profit before the greater public good.

Musk sued Altman, OpenAI and its biggest backer Microsoft in August of last year for alleged breach of contract.

In November, Musk asked a U.S. district judge for a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from transitioning to a for-profit structure. /Telegraph/