Elon Musk and Sam Altman are currently engaged in a public dispute, stemming from Altman’s cancellation attempt of his Tesla Roadster reservation. The tension escalated when Altman shared email screenshots that illustrated this cancellation effort.
Details of the Tesla Roadster Reservation
Sam Altman’s initial Roadster reservation was confirmed in July 2018, totaling a $45,000 payment. After waiting nearly 7.5 years, he expressed his disappointment and requested a $50,000 refund due to the prolonged delay.
Musk Responds to Altman’s Claims
Elon Musk, replying on his social media platform, X, pointed out that Altman only relayed part of the situation. Musk noted that Altman had already received a refund within 24 hours of his request. He criticized Altman for not acknowledging this resolution.
Background on the Tesla Roadster
Originally unveiled in 2017, Musk claimed the Tesla Roadster would be “the fastest production car ever made.” However, it has faced significant delays and remains in the “design development” stage according to Tesla’s quarterly earnings report.
Community Response and Additional Cancellations
The delays have led to other cancellations as well. Notably, prominent YouTuber MKBHD also opted to cancel his Roadster reservation due to the extended wait time.
Future of the Roadster
During a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Musk hinted that the upcoming Roadster will feature “crazy technology,” likening it to a combination of all the James Bond cars, suggesting it would surpass any current production vehicles.
Ongoing Tensions Between Musk and Altman
The feud between Musk and Altman is not new. Musk, a cofounder of OpenAI, left the organization in 2018 and has criticized Altman’s leadership. He has expressed concerns that OpenAI strayed from its founding principles, evolving into a for-profit entity closely tied to Microsoft.
- Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for deviating from its nonprofit mission.
- OpenAI has countered Musk’s claims, calling his lawsuit “utterly without merit.”
Recently, OpenAI announced a restructuring of its operations, establishing a nonprofit division called OpenAI Foundation, alongside a public benefit corporation, OpenAI Group PBC.
