In a surprising move, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman extended an olive branch to xAI founder Elon Musk, calling for a truce and hinting at the possibility of working together toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). The development comes after years of rivalry between the two tech leaders, who were once co-founders of OpenAI but have since taken divergent paths in the AI race.
A New Chapter in the AI Saga?
Early Saturday, Altman responded to a tweet exchange involving Musk and Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham, who praised Altman for his political activism. Altman replied to Musk’s comments with a conciliatory tone, saying, “We were both wrong, or at least I certainly was,” referencing their past criticisms of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
From Co-Founders to Competitors
Altman and Musk’s relationship has been complicated. Musk exited OpenAI in 2018 amid disagreements over the company’s direction and has since been highly critical of its ties with Microsoft. He even accused OpenAI of becoming a “closed-source, maximum-profit company controlled by Microsoft.”
In response, Musk launched xAI, an independent artificial intelligence venture, and developed Grok, a rival to ChatGPT. He has also pursued multiple lawsuits against OpenAI, challenging its structure and its alignment with commercial interests.
Government Backing and Shared Goals
Despite their differences, both Altman and Musk maintain influential roles in shaping U.S. AI infrastructure. Altman supports the $500 billion Project Stargate aimed at enhancing national AI capabilities. Musk, on the other hand, has been entrusted by the U.S. government with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Their mutual interest in AGI, however, might be the bridge to reunite these former allies. With AGI being a critical frontier in the tech world, Altman’s public gesture may mark the beginning of a collaborative phase between the two AI giants.
