Elon Musk Expresses Desire to Rekindle Friendship With Alphabet's Larry Page

In a recent exposition of tech titans' dynamics, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla TSLA, has voiced his wish to reconcile with Larry Page, co-founder of Google and a key figure at the parent company, Alphabet GOOG. This intent was revealed during an episode of the Lex Fridman podcast where Musk also discussed a range of topics including the Israel-Hamas conflict and anticipations surrounding the 2024 presidential elections.

Musk reminisced about the previous camaraderie he shared with Page saying, "I would like to be friends again with Larry. I haven’t seen him in ages. We were friends for a very long time.", indicating a once strong personal relation that has since grown distant.

A Friendship Cooled by AI and Business

The estrangement between Musk and Page can be traced back to 2013, anchored in their discordant views on artificial intelligence, particularly around Microsoft MSFT-backed OpenAI, which Musk co-founded with Sam Altman. The relationship further frayed when Musk discouraged DeepMind’s CEO from partnering with Google—by then under Page's leadership—in 2014, emphasizing his belief that Page should not have a monopoly on AI's future.

Musk highlighted his troubled relationship with Page in previous comments, including on Tucker Carlson's show, lamenting, "Larry doesn’t want to talk to me anymore" and indicating Page's discontent with Musk's stance on OpenAI.

Now spearheading his own AI endeavor, xAI, Musk is not withdrawing from the tech battlegrounds—even recently unveiling an AI chatbot named Grok, marking his continued prominence in the domain.

Beyond Personal Rifts: Musk's Broader Vision

While the frictions with Page capture attention, Musk's discussions span far beyond personal disputes. He proposed intriguing approaches to the Israel-Hamas war, suggesting Israel could engage in 'conspicuous acts of kindness' as a strategy. Additionally, he touched upon the political landscape leading up to the 2024 presidential elections, emphasizing a balanced and fair approach.

Musk's insights unfold against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving technological and geo-political landscape, where the ramifications of AI, diplomatic strategies, and political transitions play out on a global stage. His aspirations for reconciliation and his involvement across various sectors reflect a multifaceted approach to both personal and public interests.

Musk, Page, Reconciliation