Elon Musk’s Last-Ditch Effort to Control OpenAI: Recruit Sam Altman to Tesla

Newly disclosed communications reveal that Elon Musk pursued a strategic effort in 2017 to influence artificial intelligence development by potentially recruiting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to lead a Tesla-based AI initiative. The messages, exchanged between Shivon Zilis and Tesla executives, outline discussions about establishing a competing AI laboratory that could have fundamentally altered the landscape of AI research and commercialization.

The internal Tesla communications indicate that Musk and his team actively considered recruiting prominent AI researchers to establish an in-house artificial intelligence division. Documents suggest that Sam Altman, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, was among the candidates discussed for leadership roles in this proposed venture. Additionally, Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, was mentioned as an alternative candidate. The timeline places these discussions during a period when OpenAI was transitioning from a non-profit research organization and Musk maintained connections across the AI industry through various board positions and investments.

• The communications reveal Musk's ongoing efforts to maintain influence in AI development despite his departure from OpenAI's board
• A Tesla-based AI lab could have created significant competition and resource fragmentation in the AI research sector
• The recruitment strategy suggests concerns about the direction of OpenAI's research and commercialization timeline
• This episode demonstrates how leadership recruitment functions as a strategic tool in competitive AI development
• The disclosure raises questions about governance, conflicts of interest, and the concentration of AI talent among major tech entities

These revelations underscore the high-stakes competition within artificial intelligence development and the strategic importance of securing top research talent. The fact that Musk considered this approach in 2017—when AI was approaching mainstream consciousness—indicates how critical early positioning was considered in the sector. Understanding these internal dynamics provides insight into how major technology leaders have attempted to shape AI's trajectory and the competitive pressures driving investment decisions across the industry. The documents contribute to ongoing discussions about OpenAI's governance, Musk's influence, and the broader consolidation of AI research capabilities among well-funded organizations.