In yet another plot twist in the ongoing saga of OpenAI, the company is reportedly considering giving its non-profit board special voting rights—a move that could effectively shield it from unwanted takeovers. And yes, that includes the latest unsolicited acquisition bid from none other than Elon Musk.
According to the Financial Times (paywall alert), OpenAI’s leadership, including CEO Sam Altman, is exploring governance changes as the company shifts toward a more traditional for-profit structure. The idea? Keep power firmly in the hands of its board—even as major investors like Microsoft and SoftBank pour in billions to fuel its AI ambitions.
Musk’s Latest Power Play—And OpenAI’s Response
Last Friday, OpenAI flat-out rejected a US$97.4-billion buyout offer from a Musk-led investor group, calling it “disingenuous” and making it clear that the company is not for sale. The offer was Musk’s latest attempt to rein in OpenAI’s rapid transformation into a profit-driven AI powerhouse—a direction he’s repeatedly criticized since his fallout with the company years ago.
But OpenAI isn’t just rejecting the bid—it’s looking to make future hostile takeovers nearly impossible. If these special voting rights go through, the non-profit board would have the power to override major shareholders, effectively keeping control out of the hands of outside investors—even ones with deep pockets.
What’s Next?
At this stage, nothing is set in stone. But one thing is clear: OpenAI is fighting to control its own destiny, even as its valuation skyrockets and corporate giants circle with open checkbooks.
If this governance shift happens, it won’t just be Musk left out in the cold—even Microsoft, OpenAI’s closest ally and biggest financial backer, could find itself without the influence it might have expected.
