Elon Musk and Sam Altman, former collaborators in establishing a nonprofit to regulate AI, are set to appear in court as a jury deliberates whether Altman steered OpenAI towards a lucrative business, now valued at $852 billion. The trial, commencing with jury selection in California, focuses on claims that OpenAI, initially funded by Musk, deviated from its original goal of developing AI for public benefit to pursue profit. Musk, who initiated the lawsuit in 2024, accuses Altman and another executive of misleading him and shifting OpenAI’s focus without his knowledge.
The lawsuit demands changes in OpenAI’s governance, including Altman’s removal from the board, and financial reparations for the organization’s nonprofit sector. Musk, an early investor in OpenAI, had initially sought over $100 billion in damages but has since adjusted this figure following pre-trial decisions. The case is anticipated to involve testimonies from Musk and Altman, two influential figures in the tech sector, whose relationship evolved from cooperation to conflict over OpenAI’s evolution.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will preside over the proceedings, with the jury playing an advisory role. Musk contends that the lawsuit stems from concerns about OpenAI straying from its original purpose, while the company argues that the strategic shift was essential for advancing AI development and staying competitive in the tech industry. Musk recently retracted fraud allegations against OpenAI and its founders, narrowing the focus of the lawsuit before the trial.
