Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and a well-known tech leader, recently took a notable step by canceling his long-standing reservation for the Tesla Roadster, a product that has been in development for nearly eight years. Altman, who initially placed a $50,000 deposit on the vehicle back in July 2018, shared his decision on X, expressing his frustrations with the prolonged wait for the highly anticipated supercar.
In his message to Tesla, Altman stated, “Hi, I’d like to cancel my reservation. Could you please refund me the $50k?” However, he encountered an unexpected hiccup when he received an automatic reply from Google indicating that the email was undeliverable due to inactivity. This did not deter him; he later emphasized his disappointment with the delay, stating, “I really was excited for the car! And I understand delays. But 7.5 years has felt like a long time to wait.”
Altman’s relationship with Elon Musk, the co-founder of Tesla, has been complicated, marked by both collaboration and rivalry since the establishment of OpenAI in 2015. Over the years, this relationship has experienced tension, especially after Altman transitioned OpenAI into a profit-oriented entity. Musk has openly criticized this move, suggesting that it contradicted the foundation’s original mission. The competitive dynamic intensified earlier this year when Musk attempted to acquire OpenAI for over $97 billion, a bid that was ultimately blocked by the courts.
As for the Tesla Roadster itself, the vehicle has faced a series of delays, with its release timeline extending five years beyond initial projections. Tesla has committed to showcasing a revised version in the future, with a demonstration expected later this year, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed.
This development highlights the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry and the challenges even industry giants can face with product launches. It serves as a reminder of the balancing act companies must execute between innovation, expectation, and timelines. As Tesla aims to deliver the Roadster, observers await the next chapter in both the vehicle’s journey and the ongoing saga between Altman and Musk.