Stargate Attracts Two ‘Stars’ To The Battlefield—Elon Musk And Sam Altman Face Off Again. The Fight This Time Is More Than Just About ‘Stargate’

Sure the world of tech is a dynamic one, few rivalries have been as intriguing—and at times, explosive—as the one between billionaire Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The two have clashed over everything from artificial intelligence (AI) development to their divergent visions for the future of tech. And now, they’re at it again—this time, over a massive new venture: the Stargate project.

Unveiled in a high-profile announcement from OpenAI on January 21, 2025, Stargate is a colossal $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative that promises to build data centers across the United States, supporting OpenAI’s ambitious AI workloads. But while the project has been hailed as a bold step in securing America’s leadership in AI, it’s sparked a fierce public battle between two of the most influential figures in the tech world—Musk and Altman.

So, what’s the fight all about this time?

The Stargate Project. A Game-Changer in AI Infrastructure

The Stargate project, initially pledged to receive $100 billion in private investment, aims to create the data centers and electricity generation infrastructure necessary to fuel OpenAI’s cutting-edge AI technologies. With partners like SoftBank and Middle Eastern AI fund MGX on board, OpenAI’s ambitious plan has set the stage for what could be the most significant AI infrastructure investment in U.S. history.

The project’s goal is not only to ensure American leadership in AI but also to create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, boost the economy, and strengthen national security. But for Musk, who has long been a vocal critic of OpenAI and its growing influence, Stargate is not just an infrastructure project—it’s a threat.

Musk Strikes Back

Musk wasted no time in attacking the Stargate project, claiming that OpenAI and its backers didn’t have the financial muscle they claimed. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated that SoftBank had “well under $10 billion secured” for the project, suggesting that OpenAI’s financial claims were exaggerated. Musk, who has his own AI company, xAI, didn’t mince words, calling Altman a “swindler” in a follow-up post.

But why such a fierce reaction from Musk?

Well, the stakes are high. Musk’s xAI is in direct competition with OpenAI, and the Stargate project could give OpenAI a massive edge in the AI race. Musk has always been wary of the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few large companies, and OpenAI’s growing influence—along with its partnership with tech giants like Microsoft—has only fueled his concerns.

Altman Responds

Not one to back down, Altman fired back at Musk’s accusations, labeling them as false and challenging Musk’s assertions about the project’s financial backing. In a post on X, Altman stated, “Wrong, as you surely know,” directly addressing Musk’s claims about SoftBank’s financial capacity.

Altman also took the opportunity to remind Musk of the broader benefits of Stargate, emphasizing that the project would be great for the country. While Altman acknowledged that what’s good for the nation isn’t always in line with Musk’s business interests, he appealed to Musk’s sense of patriotism, hoping that Musk’s new role in government advisory would help prioritize the country’s needs over corporate ambitions.

In a more personal tone, Altman also offered a mix of admiration and frustration towards Musk. “I genuinely respect your accomplishments and think you are the most inspiring entrepreneur of our time,” Altman wrote. However, he also noted that while Musk pushes the tech world to be more ambitious, he didn’t believe Musk was being fair or treating OpenAI fairly.

The Bigger Picture Is The Battle Over AI’s Future

At the heart of the Stargate feud lies a deeper ideological divide. Musk has always been a staunch advocate for decentralizing AI power, fearing that AI could be used as a tool for control and manipulation. Musk’s vision of AI is one that prioritizes open-source collaboration and a more cautious, ethical approach to development. For Musk, the growing dominance of OpenAI, which has the backing of tech giants like Microsoft, represents a concentration of power that could pose significant risks.

On the other hand, Altman and OpenAI have embraced the potential of AI to drive economic growth and innovation. Altman’s vision is one of strategic investment in infrastructure and collaboration with both the private and public sectors to ensure that AI develops responsibly, with national security and economic growth in mind. While Altman shares Musk’s concerns about AI’s risks, he believes that the best way to mitigate those risks is through careful, regulated development and robust investment in infrastructure.

Musk’s Government Role. Adding Fuel to the Fire

Adding more to the mix to the rivalry is Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a U.S. government advisory commission tasked with recommending deep cuts to federal agencies. Musk’s position on DOGE has put him in direct opposition to Altman’s vision, as OpenAI continues to forge partnerships with the government and invest heavily in AI infrastructure. Musk’s calls for government downsizing and deregulation conflict with Altman’s support for regulatory oversight of AI, making their relationship even more fraught.

The AI Race Is More Than Just Musk vs. Altman

While Musk and Altman’s personal feud has taken center stage, the broader battle for the future of AI is also at play. As Musk’s xAI competes with OpenAI, the bets have never been higher. Both companies are vying for control over the AI ecosystem, with billions of dollars on the line and the future of technology hanging in the balance.

Musk’s accusations and Altman’s defense of Stargate are just the latest skirmish in a rivalry that shows no signs of slowing down. With both men pushing for dominance in the AI race, it’s clear that the battle has just begun.

The Feud Between Elon Musk and Sam Altman

The tech world is no stranger to fierce rivalries, but few have been as public and enduring as the one between Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. Their relationship has been a rollercoaster of collaboration, competition, and confrontation, and it’s one that continues to unfold with new twists and turns.

Let’s talk about Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s contentious relationship, exploring the key moments of their feud over the years.

1. The Birth of OpenAI and Musk’s Initial Support

The feud between Musk and Altman didn’t start out with animosity. In fact, their relationship began on a somewhat collaborative note. Musk was one of the founding supporters of OpenAI in 2015, alongside Altman and other tech giants. Musk, a vocal advocate for AI safety, saw OpenAI as a way to ensure that artificial intelligence would develop in a safe and beneficial direction. At the time, Musk’s vision for AI aligned with OpenAI’s mission to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) for the benefit of humanity.

However, even in these early days, there were hints of tension beneath the surface. Musk’s intense concern about AI’s potential dangers sometimes clashed with the more optimistic approach of Altman and other OpenAI founders, who were focused on advancing AI technology more rapidly.

2. Musk’s Departure from OpenAI

As OpenAI began to gain traction and grow, Musk’s relationship with the organization became increasingly strained. In 2018, Musk resigned from OpenAI’s board, citing potential conflicts of interest with his work at Tesla. At the time, Tesla was developing its own AI systems for autonomous vehicles, which directly overlapped with OpenAI’s focus on artificial intelligence.

While Musk’s departure from the board seemed amicable on the surface, it marked the beginning of a more pronounced separation between him and Altman. Musk’s decision to step away was largely due to concerns about OpenAI’s shift towards commercialization, which he believed was in conflict with its original mission to prioritize safety over profit.

3. The Shift Toward Commercialization and Musk’s Criticism

As OpenAI moved from being a nonprofit to a for-profit organization, Musk’s criticisms of the company grew sharper. In 2019, OpenAI made a significant move when it partnered with Microsoft, securing a multi-billion-dollar deal to integrate its AI models into Microsoft’s products. Musk was not pleased with this shift, arguing that OpenAI was straying from its original altruistic goals in favor of profit.

In response to OpenAI’s new direction, Musk publicly voiced his concerns, accusing the organization of becoming too commercialized and diverging from its mission of developing AI for the benefit of all humanity. This criticism laid the groundwork for the public rift between Musk and Altman.

4. The OpenAI vs. xAI Lawsuit

The tensions between Musk and Altman reached a boiling point in 2024 when Musk’s AI company, xAI, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI. Musk’s xAI was embroiled in a legal battle with OpenAI over what Musk described as “anticompetitive practices” by Altman’s company. The lawsuit accused OpenAI of discouraging investors from supporting AI rivals, including xAI.

Musk’s xAI company was not only a competitor to OpenAI, but Musk also saw OpenAI as a potential threat to his own vision of AI. Musk had always been an outspoken critic of centralized AI power, arguing that it could be used to control and manipulate society. OpenAI’s growing influence in the AI field, along with its partnership with Microsoft, was seen as a challenge to Musk’s own ambitions in the AI space.

5. The DOGE Commission and Political Tensions

Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a U.S. government advisory commission, has also contributed to the friction between him and Altman. Musk’s commission has recommended significant cuts to federal agencies, including those involved in AI regulation. As the U.S. government plays a more significant role in the regulation of AI, Musk and Altman’s divergent views on government involvement in tech have become another point of contention.

Altman, who is heavily involved in OpenAI’s partnerships with both government and private sector players, has supported more regulatory oversight of AI. Musk, on the other hand, has been a vocal critic of government intervention, arguing that innovation should be driven by private companies rather than bureaucrats. This ideological divide has further deepened the rift between the two.

7. The Battle Over AI’s Future

At the heart of Musk and Altman’s feud is a fundamental disagreement over the future of artificial intelligence. Musk, who has warned of the existential risks posed by AI, advocates for caution, transparency, and ethical development. He believes that AI should be decentralized and open-source to prevent any single entity from holding too much power.

Altman, on the other hand, has embraced the potential of AI to drive innovation and economic growth. While he shares Musk’s concerns about AI’s risks, Altman believes that the best way to mitigate these risks is through careful development, collaboration, and investment in infrastructure. OpenAI’s focus on developing powerful AI systems and its partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft have positioned the company as a key player in the AI race.

The Last Bit. The Rivalry That Defines an Era

The feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman is one of the defining rivalries of the modern tech era. It’s a battle between two visionary entrepreneurs, each with their own vision for the future of AI and its role in society. While their differences have often been personal, the future of artificial intelligence, its ethical development, and its potential to reshape the world as we know it.

The fight over Stargate is just the latest chapter in the ongoing battle of Musk and Altman’s rivalry. Whether it’s AI infrastructure, government policy, or corporate power, the two have become the faces of competing visions for the future of technology.