Tech billionaire Elon Musk faced intense questioning in a US federal court as his legal battle with OpenAI escalated. Testifying in Oakland, California, Musk argued that the organization had deviated from its original nonprofit mission, transforming into a profit-driven enterprise without his expectations being met.
During cross-examination, OpenAI’s legal team challenged Musk’s claims, attempting to portray inconsistencies in his account of the company’s evolution. At one point, Musk pushed back against the questioning, while attorney William Savitt maintained that the questions were straightforward.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 alongside Sam Altman and others, said he initially supported the venture as a nonprofit focused on benefiting humanity through open-source AI development. He told the court he contributed millions in funding, believing the project would remain aligned with that vision.
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However, OpenAI’s lawyers presented past communications suggesting Musk had, at times, considered alternative structures, including a for-profit model, provided it served the nonprofit’s broader mission.
The case centers on Musk’s claim that OpenAI’s leadership, including Altman and president Greg Brockman, moved away from the founding principles. Musk is seeking major changes, including a return to nonprofit status and leadership restructuring.
Since Musk’s departure in 2018, OpenAI has grown into one of the world’s most valuable AI firms, driven by the success of tools like ChatGPT. Meanwhile, Musk has launched his own AI venture, xAI, intensifying competition in the sector.
The case is being overseen by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who is expected to deliver a decision later this year. The outcome could have significant implications for the governance and future direction of major AI companies.
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