A new court filing has revealed that Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, once sought the assistance of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a potential bid to acquire OpenAI. The disclosure came as part of Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, where he accuses the AI company of straying from its original nonprofit mission and aligning too closely with corporate interests.

Musk and Zuckerberg: Rivals Turned Unlikely Allies?

Although Musk and Zuckerberg have frequently clashed over the risks and development of artificial intelligence, the filing suggests Musk believed that joining forces with his long-time rival could strengthen his chances of taking control of OpenAI. Musk reportedly saw Zuckerberg’s resources and influence as crucial in countering Microsoft’s deep investment in the AI startup.

Context: Musk vs. OpenAI

The revelations come as Musk intensifies his criticism of OpenAI, the company he co-founded in 2015 but later split from. Musk has argued that OpenAI abandoned its founding principles of transparency and open research after partnering with Microsoft, leading him to create his own AI venture, xAI. The legal filings shed light on behind-the-scenes maneuvering that could have dramatically reshaped the AI landscape.

What’s at Stake in the AI Race

With OpenAI leading global innovation in generative AI, Microsoft backing its growth, and Musk pushing xAI as a competitor, the disclosure underscores how high the stakes have become in the race for AI dominance. Analysts say the revelation highlights the unusual alliances tech leaders are willing to consider as artificial intelligence becomes the defining technology of the decade.