# Musk mocked over AI space plans by ChatGPT boss > Source: > Published: 2026-07-13 10:49:34+00:00 # Musk mocked over AI space plans by ChatGPT boss SpaceX plans to launch 100,000 satellites to build space-based AI data centres - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments OpenAI boss Sam Altman has mocked [Elon Musk](/topic/elon-musk)’s plan to place artificial intelligence data centres into orbit by 2027. Mr Altman claimed that [SpaceX](/topic/spacex)’s planned Starmind project of [launching 100,000 AI satellites](/tech/elon-musk-spacex-xai-merger-ai-space-b2911117.html) were designed to mislead investors in the company’s [recent IPO](/money/spacex-shares-ipo-stock-market-investing-elon-musk-b2986966.html), which saw it reach a valuation of more than $2 trillion. His remarks followed a series of posts from Mr Musk about a newly filed lawsuit from Apple, alleging that OpenAI stole the iPhone maker’s intellectual property to develop its own hardware. “Scam Altman strikes again,” Mr Musk wrote on X. “He takes scamming to a whole new level... He might literally love scamming more than any human alive!” In response, Mr Altman wrote: “Homeboy you’re the one selling public market investors on short-term space datacenters.” Mr Musk then [replied](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2076070258654183767): “We start flying them next year. Maybe you can come see them if your parole officer approves. “After stealing an open source AI charity, you then stole all of Apple’s phone technology! Wow. What do you plan for an encore? That’s tough to beat.” The exchange on social media reignited a feud between the former friends, who co-founded [OpenAI](/topic/openai) in 2015 alongside nine others. Their relationship broke down in 2018 when Mr Altman reportedly blocked Mr Musk’s attempt to take charge of the [ChatGPT](/topic/chatgpt) creator. OpenAI subsequently became a for-profit venture, having previously operated solely as a non-profit entity with the sole goal of ensuring that artificial intelligence “benefits all of humanity”. In 2024, Mr Musk sued Mr Altman and his company, accusing them of betraying OpenAI’s founding mission. The legal battle culminated in a three-week trial earlier this year, in which a jury found that Mr Musk’s allegations were barred by the statute of limitations. The [latest lawsuit](https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.474095/gov.uscourts.cand.474095.1.0.pdf) brought about by Apple comes after OpenAI announced plans to [build an AI device](/tech/openai-device-altman-ive-ai-b2763650.html) that Mr Altman claims will be “the greatest technological revolution of our lifetimes”. According to Apple, OpenAI employees have taken “secret and confidential information” relating to unreleased products in order to develop its device. “At every level, from members of its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information,” the lawsuit, which was filed on Friday, alleges. In a statement, OpenAI said: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.” ## Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies [Comments](#comments-area)