Who Should Run the Most Powerful AI Company in the World?
Earlier this week, Elon Musk made waves by offering Sam Altman $97.4 billion for OpenAI, which Altman swiftly rejected, countering with a taunt about buying Twitter for a fraction of that. As ZDNET’s Tiernan Ray explained, Musk’s offer appeared to be a stunt to force Altman’s hand in what has become a bromance-gone-sour between the two tech CEOs.
The Dilemma
Regardless, it got us thinking: Who should run what is arguably the most powerful AI company in the world?
ZDNET’s Poll Results
We asked, you answered: here’s who ZDNET readers think should run OpenAI. ZDNET’s LinkedIn poll offered voters three options: Altman, Musk, or another candidate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Altman won by a landslide with 50% of the total votes, compared to Musk’s 23%. While no third-party contenders materialized in the comments, several voters noted that they’d prefer "anybody BUT Musk," full stop.
The Concerns
That sentiment likely stems from how much power Musk already has in the AI space, especially now that he’s serving as an adviser to President Trump. Given the Trump administration’s recent reductions around AI safety and regulation — which were already nascent to begin with — a Musk-controlled OpenAI could further concentrate one of AI’s largest players under a small umbrella of interests.
Altman’s Ambitions
Altman may have come out on top, but it’s hard to say whether that’s based on his qualifications or track record, or just that he isn’t the other guy. At the moment, Altman is trying to raise $40 billion from investors while also extracting OpenAI’s for-profit arm, OpenAI LLC — within the next two years — from the greater parent company, OpenAI Inc. (a non-profit). Some theorize that by tossing this offer out now, Musk is trying to put a valuation on OpenAI and thus stick Altman in a tough spot with his board, and forcing him into a fraught negotiation with Musk over the bid.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding who should run OpenAI is an important one, given the company’s significant influence in the AI space. While Altman may have won the poll, concerns about Musk’s involvement and the potential concentration of power remain. Ultimately, the decision rests with OpenAI’s board and investors, who must weigh the pros and cons of each candidate. Will they choose stability and continuity with Altman, or take a risk on Musk’s vision for the company?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is OpenAI?
A: OpenAI is a non-profit artificial intelligence research organization founded in 2015 by Sam Altman and others.
Q: What is OpenAI’s purpose?
A: OpenAI’s primary goal is to ensure that AI is used for the good of humanity, rather than for malicious purposes.
Q: Why did Elon Musk offer to buy OpenAI?
A: Musk’s motives are unclear, but some speculate that he may be trying to force Sam Altman into a tough negotiation and put a valuation on OpenAI.
Q: Who is in the lead to run OpenAI?
A: According to ZDNET’s poll, Sam Altman is in the lead with 50% of the votes, followed by Elon Musk with 23%.
