When tech titans feud, even AI gets dragged into the drama
The latest showdown between Elon Musk and Sam Altman is proving that the battle for tech supremacy isn’t just about companies — it’s also a war of words and algorithms. This week, the ongoing spat escalated when Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, unexpectedly sided with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in their public feud on X (formerly Twitter).
Is this a sign that AI is finally learning to tell truth from bias, or just another twist in a high-profile rivalry? And what does it mean when the very AI models created by these billionaires start calling each other out?
The Feud: Accusations and Algorithmic Allegiances
The drama began when Musk accused Apple of unfairly favouring OpenAI in App Store rankings, threatening legal action if the practice didn’t stop. Altman fired back, accusing Musk of manipulating X’s algorithm to promote his own companies while undermining competitors.
Musk’s reply was swift and fiery, mocking Altman’s post for garnering 3 million views despite Musk having 50 times more followers. Altman challenged Musk to swear under oath that he hadn’t rigged X’s algorithms — a challenge Musk declined to accept publicly.
At this point, things might have stayed a typical billionaire spat — if it weren’t for the AI models entering the conversation.
When AI Takes Sides: Grok vs. ChatGPT
A curious X user asked Grok to decide who was right in this feud. Grok, Elon Musk’s AI creation, shocked many by siding with Altman, pointing to evidence that Musk had indeed manipulated X’s algorithm while casting doubt on his Apple antitrust claims.
Almost immediately, ChatGPT chimed in with a sly “good bot” retweet — followed by a cheeky “Very truth-seeking.” The AI banter highlighted the strange new reality where digital assistants aren’t neutral tools, but players in tech rivalries.
But how much can we really trust these AI “judgments”? After all, AI models reflect the data they’re fed — often shaped by the companies and individuals behind them. Is this just another layer of PR warfare disguised as tech objectivity?
Musk’s Counterattack: Claiming AI Loyalty
Not to be outdone, Musk retweeted screenshots showing Grok alongside rival models Gemini and GPT-5 all naming him “more trustworthy” than Altman in a forced-choice test.
This back-and-forth begs a deeper question: Are these AI verdicts genuine assessments, or manufactured endorsements? When AI becomes a tool for personal branding rather than public service, where does that leave truth-seeking?
The Bigger Picture: Tech Rivalries in the Age of AI
This spat exposes the murky intersection of technology, power, and public perception. As AI systems become more integrated into our lives, the motives behind their “opinions” demand scrutiny. Should we let billionaires’ bots settle disputes, or are we witnessing the commercialization of AI objectivity?
More importantly, how do these public battles impact trust in technology itself? When AI starts throwing shade at its creators, is it a sign of progress — or chaos?