Sam Altman and Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but split in 2018 over control and vision, sparking a decade-long feud.
Musk’s xAI (Grok) and Altman’s OpenAI (ChatGPT) compete fiercely, with a $97.4B bid and lawsuits escalating tensions in 2025.
Musk advocates for open-source, regulated AI, whereas Altman supports rapid, commercially-backed AI development.
In 2025, the tech world is all about the fight between Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, and Elon Musk, who started xAI, Tesla, and a bunch of other companies. Okay, so these two used to be friends, trying to make an AI that was actually helpful.
The topic - ‘Sam Altman vs Elon Musk’ reflects two contrasting visions for the future of artificial intelligence. Now they're at each other's throats with lawsuits and Twitter rivalry, because they disagree on what AI even should be. Here's the story of their ten-year fight - and how it's shaking things up in tech.
Back in 2015, Sam Altman and Elon Musk kicked off OpenAI together. The idea was to create an Artificial Intelligence that was safe and good for humans. They wanted to keep AI open and do things the right way, so they secured a billion dollars from other tech giants.
Then things went south in 2018. Musk wanted to take over, planning to join OpenAI with Tesla, but Altman was for teamwork and staying solo. Musk left, and their friendship went south, which set the stage for the showdown we're seeing today.
Also Read: Tesla to Launch In-Car Gaming in 6 Months, Says Elon Musk
Discussions on Sam Altman vs Elon Musk net worth often highlight how both billionaires invest differently in technology. The Altman-Musk thing isn't just personal, it's about totally different visions for AI:
Control vs. Teamwork: Musk wanted to run the show at OpenAI, but Altman was into a team approach.
Safety vs. Speed: Musk is concerned that AI could harm us if it's not closely monitored. Altman thinks we need to innovate fast, but with safety measures in place.
Money vs. Morals: Musk says OpenAI is all about making money for Microsoft now, and that they ditched their original non-profit goals. Altman says they had to change their payment method for research.
Their rivalry has played out in some pretty wild ways:
Musk Quits, Starts xAI
In 2018, Musk left OpenAI after he was unable to take over. Then, in 2023, he launched xAI and introduced Grok, a chatbot to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
ChatGPT Gets Huge, Musk Complains
ChatGPT from OpenAI gained significant popularity after 2022. By 2025, like 700 million people were using it every week. Musk thinks they sold out, saying OpenAI is basically just Microsoft trying to cash in. He even went after Altman on Twitter, calling him Scam Altman, which was a low blow.
Lawsuits and a Crazy Offer
In 2024, Musk sued OpenAI, alleging that they weren't adhering to their non-profit plan. OpenAI fired back, accusing Musk of just stirring things up. Then, in Feb 2025, Musk offered a crazy $97.4 billion to buy OpenAI, but Altman said no and joked he'd buy X for only $9.74 billion. This fight is a lot about business moves and who's got the bigger ego.
Apple Joins the Party
In August 2025, Musk called out Apple for favoring ChatGPT over Grok in its App Store, claiming it was a monopoly move. Altman responded, saying Musk messes with X’s algorithm to help his own companies. This brought Apple into their AI war, which shows how big the stakes are.
Their rivalry is centered on what they think AI should be:
OpenAI’s ChatGPT and GPT-5: Altman’s OpenAI is leading the way with GPT-5, which launched in August 2025. It’s awesome at coding and math, making only 1.4% of mistakes. Microsoft is backing it, and Apple is using it in their devices, with the goal of AI that's helpful for everyone.
xAI’s Grok 4: Musk’s Grok 4, which came out in July 2025, is great at creative stuff and uses real-time data from X. It's advertised as a truth-seeking option, but it's a little behind in tests.
These AI systems are fighting it out, which is boosting innovation but also raising some concerns. Give ChatGPT and Grok a shot and see which you prefer. Silicon Valley's watching closely because this competition could reshape the future of AI.
How to Keep Up
Watch Twitter: See what's up on their Twitter for quick updates and maybe some drama, but make sure to confirm anything you see with real news sources.
Give AI Models a Go: Test out ChatGPT and Grok to see which one you prefer.
Stay Updated: Keep up with AI regulations, as Musk's involvement might shake things up. This way, you can keep up with the gossip without getting confused.
This way, you can follow the drama without getting lost.
Things to Avoid
Fall for the Hype: Don't believe rumors that Musk and Altman are secretly friends. Stick to the facts.
Ignore the Risks: AI is growing rapidly, which raises significant ethical and security concerns. Don't forget about these.
Blindly Pick a Side: Both have good points, so make judgments based on the facts for yourself.
This will help you stay grounded through it all.
Also Read: Elon Musk's xAI Signs EU's AI Code of Practice, But There's a Catch
The fight between Altman and Musk isn't just some spat; it's a battle impacting the whole future of AI. Their decisions shake things up from small companies to big finance.
Whether you're into technology or investments, keeping up with them will give you a clue about where tech is going. Check out Grok or GPT-5 to see what they're capable of, and hit up Twitter for the latest news. In 2025, this rivalry is the biggest show in tech.
1. What sparked the rivalry between Sam Altman and Elon Musk?
Their feud began when Musk left OpenAI in 2018 after disagreements over its shift from a non-profit to a for-profit model.
2. How has the rivalry between Altman and Musk escalated?
Musk sued OpenAI in 2024, accusing it of abandoning its mission, while Altman countered with accusations of Musk manipulating X to harm rivals.
3. What role does the Stargate Project play in their feud?
Musk criticized the $500 billion Stargate Project led by Altman, calling it a “scam” and questioning its funding, escalating tensions.
4. How do their AI ventures, OpenAI and xAI, compete?
Musk’s xAI, with its Grok chatbot, aims for transparent, ethical AI, while Altman’s OpenAI focuses on rapid development with corporate backing.
5. What was the outcome of Musk’s $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI?
Altman rejected Musk’s 2025 bid, sarcastically offering to buy X for $9.74 billion, highlighting their ongoing public spat.