Sam Altman Seeks Refund for His 2018 Tesla Roadster Deposit
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is actively seeking a refund for his deposit on a Tesla Roadster. On Thursday, he shared details of his transaction, which traced back to July 2018, where he paid $45,000 for a second-generation Roadster.
Refund Request for Tesla Roadster Deposit
In his recent post on X, Altman included a screenshot of the original confirmation email along with a follow-up email sent on the same day. He expressed his disappointment after the email bounced back when he attempted to cancel his order and requested a $50,000 refund. “I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait,” he remarked.
Tesla Roadster Delays
The new Tesla Roadster was first announced as one of the company’s most highly anticipated products in 2017. During the unveiling, CEO Elon Musk claimed it would be the fastest production car ever, reaching 0-60 mph in under two seconds and achieving 100 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Initial production was expected to start in 2020; however, this launch has faced numerous delays.
- 2017: Tesla announces the second-generation Roadster.
- 2020: Initial production date set for the Roadster.
- October 2024: Musk indicates the design is nearing completion but is deprioritized.
Responses and Ongoing Disputes
As of now, neither Musk nor Tesla has responded to Altman’s refund request. This incident occurs amid a backdrop of legal disputes between Altman and Musk regarding OpenAI, the AI company they co-founded in 2015. Musk has been openly critical of Altman’s management style and leadership since departing from OpenAI’s board in 2018.
Musk’s legal actions include a lawsuit filed in February 2024, claiming OpenAI breached its nonprofit mission through its partnership with Microsoft. The lawsuit was withdrawn in June but refiled in August. Subsequently, Musk’s legal team sought to prevent OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit structure, a move that OpenAI has dismissed as “utterly without merit.”
Reflection on Collaboration
In a recent interview, Altman reflected on his past admiration for Musk, stating, “For a long time, I looked up to him as an incredible hero. I have different feelings now.” The evolving relationship between these two tech leaders highlights tensions as they both navigate ambitious projects and personal grievances.
OpenAI’s Future Directions
Despite ongoing challenges, OpenAI completed a significant restructuring, establishing a new public benefit corporation, OpenAI Group PBC. The company aims for a valuation of $1 trillion as it looks to go public.
