Part 6/8:
The feud traces back to governance struggles within OpenAI itself, particularly around 2017 when Altman ascended to CEO. Internal emails suggest Musk had ambitions for the CEO position, but his substantial ownership and the concerns of other co-founders led to resistance. This leadership dynamics and perceived power imbalances sowed seeds of conflict that have only grown over time.
Musk’s ongoing anxieties regarding AI risks and safety have juxtaposed with these company struggles, illustrating a conflict fueled by divergent operational visions and personal aspirations.