Elon Musk Backed $10 Billion OpenAI ICO, Internal Notes Reveal | AI Crypto History

Internal documents have revealed that tech billionaire Elon Musk once supported a plan for OpenAI to launch a massive $10 billion Initial Coin Offering (ICO). This historical insight sheds new light on the early intersection of major artificial intelligence (AI) research and cryptocurrency fundraising. The proposed ICO, which ultimately did not proceed, highlights an alternative path OpenAI considered for securing capital before its pivot to a capped-profit model and major backing from Microsoft. This revelation underscores the early debates within the AI sector regarding funding mechanisms and the potential role of blockchain technology. The notes provide a fascinating "what-if" scenario in the evolution of one of the world's leading AI labs and its relationship with the crypto market.