A public disagreement has erupted between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla CEO Elon Musk over the recent “Stargate” project, with Altman calling on Musk to focus on what’s best for the U.S. in his role with the government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) task force.
The Stargate project, part of OpenAI’s ambitious plans to build a nationwide AI infrastructure, aims to construct advanced data centers across the U.S. to support its AI systems. Altman and his team are seeking to raise $500 billion in funding, with investors including SoftBank and the Middle Eastern AI fund MGX. However, Musk has expressed skepticism about the project’s financial viability, particularly questioning SoftBank’s ability to secure the funds, as he claimed it had “well under $10B secured.”
In response to Musk’s criticism, Altman defended the project, stating that it would be “great for the country” and acknowledging that the benefits for the nation may not always align with Musk’s personal business interests. This subtle jab appears to reference Musk’s involvement with Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures that could compete for resources or priorities.
Altman further urged Musk, who is also a key figure in the DOGE task force focused on reducing federal spending, to prioritize national interests in his strategic decisions. Musk’s influence in both the tech world and national strategy has been significant, and Altman expressed hope that it would lead to positive outcomes for the country.
The conflict has also highlighted the broader competition between OpenAI and Musk’s xAI, as both companies vie for resources to develop their AI systems. Musk’s xAI, for instance, reportedly invested $12 billion in a data center in Memphis, Tennessee, and may require additional billions for further upgrades.
As the legal challenges to DOGE continue and the debate over the Stargate project intensifies, the tech world is watching closely to see how these influential figures will navigate their differing visions for AI’s future in America.
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