Elon Musk reportedly attempted to thwart a significant $500 billion artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure project known as “Stargate UAE,” led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the Emirati company G42. The initiative, announced in May 2025, aims to construct one of the world’s largest AI data centers in Abu Dhabi, with participation from major tech firms including Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015 but left in 2018 due to disagreements, expressed frustration upon discovering that Altman was set to benefit from the deal. He allegedly pressured officials, including a call with Sheikh Tahnoon of the UAE, to include his own AI firm, xAI, in the project. Musk suggested that former President Donald Trump would not approve the deal without xAI’s participation

Despite Musk’s efforts, the Trump administration approved the Stargate UAE project, emphasizing its benefits for American interests. The UAE also plans to fund a similar project in the United States. Musk has since sued OpenAI and Altman, accusing them of deviating from the company’s founding principles, with OpenAI countersuing in April 2025 .

The events highlight the intensifying personal and competitive tensions in the high-stakes AI industry, as Musk and Altman continue to vie for dominance in the rapidly evolving field