OpenAI has formally requested that Meta provide documentation regarding any collaborative efforts with Elon Musk and his AI venture, xAI, concerning a proposed acquisition or investment in OpenAI. This request was disclosed in a recent legal filing amid Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI.
In June, OpenAI’s legal team issued a subpoena to Meta, seeking records related to its potential participation in Musk’s unsolicited $97 billion bid to acquire OpenAI, which was made in February. The existence of such documents remains uncertain. OpenAI ultimately declined Musk’s acquisition proposal.
The filing indicates that Musk engaged in discussions with Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, about xAI’s interest in purchasing OpenAI. These conversations reportedly included topics such as potential financing arrangements or investments.
Meta initially objected to OpenAI’s subpoena in July. In response, OpenAI’s attorneys are now seeking a court order to compel Meta to produce the requested evidence. Additionally, OpenAI is requesting access to any of Meta’s documents and communications related to any actual or potential restructuring or recapitalization of OpenAI, which is a central issue in Musk’s lawsuit against the company.
Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Meta, referred to a section of OpenAI’s filing that states neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed Musk’s letter of intent to acquire OpenAI. Meta declined to provide further comments. OpenAI and Musk’s legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Amidst OpenAI’s legal battle with Musk, Meta has been significantly investing in its own AI initiatives. In 2023, Meta’s executives were reportedly focused on developing an AI model to surpass OpenAI’s GPT-4. By early 2025, however, Meta’s AI models had fallen behind industry standards, reportedly causing frustration for Zuckerberg.
In recent months, Zuckerberg has intensified efforts to bolster Meta’s AI capabilities by recruiting several of OpenAI’s top AI researchers. Notably, Shengjia Zhao, a co-creator of ChatGPT, now leads research at Meta’s newly established AI division, Meta Superintelligence Labs. Meta has also invested $14 billion in Scale AI and has reportedly approached other AI laboratories regarding potential acquisitions.
The extent of discussions between Musk and Zuckerberg remains unclear. However, the possibility of a partnership between these two tech leaders underscores the competitive landscape and the perceived threat posed by OpenAI’s advancements in artificial intelligence.
