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Musk's Secret Plan to Control OpenAI Exposed

WIRED · Wednesday, May 6, 2026 · Category: Industry
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Musk's Secret Plan to Control OpenAI Exposed

In a shocking turn of events, documents have surfaced revealing a secret plan by Elon Musk to exert control over the AI research organization OpenAI. The plan, which dates back to 2017, involved recruiting Sam Altman, the then-CEO of Y Combinator, to join Tesla and potentially lead a rival AI lab. This move would have given Musk a significant advantage in the AI research space, potentially allowing him to rival OpenAI's development of advanced AI technologies. According to messages between Shivon Zilis, a former employee of Musk's, and Tesla executives, the plan was to establish a new AI lab that would compete with OpenAI. The lab would have been led by either Altman or Demis Hassabis, the co-founder of DeepMind, a leading AI research organization. The details of the plan were reportedly discussed in a series of private messages, shed light on Musk's ambitions to dominate the AI research landscape. The recruitment of Altman, who is known for his expertise in AI and machine learning, would have been a significant coup for Musk. As the CEO of Y Combinator, Altman had already demonstrated his ability to identify and nurture talented entrepreneurs and researchers in the AI space. By bringing him on board at Tesla, Musk would have gained access to Altman's network and expertise, potentially giving him a significant edge in the development of AI technologies. The revelation raises questions about the motivations behind Musk's plan and the potential implications for the AI research community. While the plan ultimately appears to have been unsuccessful, it highlights the intense competition and ambition that exists in the AI research space, with major players like Musk and OpenAI vying for dominance.

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