OpenAI Subpoenas Meta Over Musk's $97 Billion Takeover Bid

OpenAI’s legal battle with Elon Musk has deepened in complexity, with the company now demanding information from Meta about its possible role in Musk’s $97 billion bid to take over OpenAI. The development, revealed in court filings, suggests OpenAI is investigating whether Meta was involved in strategic or financial coordination between Musk and his AI company, xAI. The move has sparked speculation about the extent of collaboration between two of the tech industry’s most influential figures—Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg—and the potential implications for the future of artificial intelligence.

OpenAI’s legal team disclosed in a recent filing that they had subpoenaed Meta in June to investigate communications between Musk and Zuckerberg regarding xAI’s interest in acquiring OpenAI. The subpoena seeks evidence of any discussions about “potential financing arrangements or investments,” indicating OpenAI’s belief that Meta may have played a more active role than previously understood. The nature of these exchanges remains unclear, but if proven, it could significantly alter the legal dynamics of the case and expose a coordinated effort to reshape OpenAI’s trajectory.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, has long accused the company of straying from its original mission of open-source development and instead aligning closely with Microsoft for profit-driven initiatives. OpenAI has denied these allegations, claiming that Musk attempted to force control of the company and integrate it with Tesla. The $97 billion bid, described as unsolicited, underscores Musk’s belief in OpenAI’s strategic value and his desire to influence the direction of cutting-edge AI development. The involvement of Meta in the potential deal raises questions about whether the tech giant acted as a financier, strategic partner, or merely an interested observer.

Meta, for its part, has pushed back against the subpoena, with its legal team arguing that Musk and xAI can provide any relevant information and that internal discussions about OpenAI’s future are unrelated to the lawsuit. OpenAI is now seeking a court order to compel Meta to disclose the requested documents, which could reveal critical details about the alleged coordination. The outcome of this legal maneuvering will be pivotal in shaping the case’s direction and potentially exposing broader strategic moves in the AI sector.

Meanwhile, Meta has been aggressively advancing its own AI ambitions. The company has invested heavily in AI infrastructure, including a reported $14 billion in Scale AI, and has been actively recruiting talent from rival AI labs, including former OpenAI researchers. This strategy highlights Meta’s determination to compete with OpenAI and other leading AI firms, raising concerns about the potential motivations behind its alleged involvement in the takeover bid. Whether the engagement was purely financial or part of a larger strategic play remains to be seen.

The unfolding legal drama is not just about corporate governance; it is a reflection of the broader high-stakes competition shaping the AI industry. As AI models grow in power and influence, control over intellectual property and development strategies has become a critical battleground. OpenAI’s potential acquisition by Musk—with or without Meta’s backing—has sent ripples through the tech sector, raising questions about market concentration, the future of open-source innovation, and the direction of AI development.

For users and developers, the outcome of the legal case could determine the future of ChatGPT and OpenAI’s broader mission. Any significant restructuring or change in ownership could impact development timelines, accessibility, and ethical guidelines. The uncertainty surrounding the company’s governance adds another layer of complexity to an already turbulent environment, where innovation and commercial interests increasingly intersect.

As the court weighs OpenAI’s request for evidence from Meta, the broader tech community watches closely. The case is not just about one company but about setting precedents for how AI innovation is governed, shared, and commercialized. The stakes could not be higher, with the future of one of the most transformative technologies of our time hanging in the balance.

Source: [1]OpenAI Lawsuit Unveils Shocking Meta Involvement in Elon Musk’s Takeover Bid (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68a7c35d65b110075b232e83/)