MUSK SOUGHT OPENAI FOUNDERS FOR TESLA AI UNIT

The effort reflects Musk's broader interest in AI development and his complex relationship with OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015 before departing its board. Musk was willing to structure the arrangement as a for-profit entity—a departure from OpenAI's nonprofit model at the time—if it secured him operational control. The proposal did not materialize, and OpenAI's founders remained with their organization. Tesla has since developed its own AI capabilities, particularly in autonomous driving systems and large language models. The company has invested significantly in machine learning infrastructure and hired AI researchers independently. Musk's interest in acquiring top AI talent underscores the competitive landscape for specialized expertise in the field. His divergent paths with OpenAI have included public disputes over governance and the organization's shift toward for-profit operations in 2023.