The legal drama surrounding OpenAI took a sharper turn this week, with two of tech’s most recognizable figures once again on opposing sides. What began as a partnership built around a bold idea is now a legal battle over what that idea has become. During the OpenAI trial, Elon Musk leveled a striking claim against Sam Altman, accusing him of stealing a charity.
Elon Musk accuses Sam Altman of stealing in OpenAI trial
During sworn testimony in the OpenAI trial, Elon Musk accused Sam Altman of diverting the nonprofit’s mission for private gain. For those unaware, the Tesla founder co-founded OpenAI with them in 2015 and left in 2018.
According to The Guardian, lawyers for the two tech billionaires gave a California jury starkly conflicting accounts of the AI company’s origins. Musk’s lawsuit claims that Altman, OpenAI, and President Greg Brockman violated a core agreement to serve humanity when the nonprofit shifted to a for-profit model.
In opening statements, the tech mogul’s attorney said Altman and Brockman “stole a charity.” He also alleged that the pair improperly enriched themselves as the company raised billions and grew into an AI powerhouse.
However, OpenAI has rejected every claim Elon Musk made, arguing that the case stems from “jealousy”. The company further portrayed him as an embittered co-founder bent on retaliation after his bid for total control fell through. Pointing to Musk’s launch of rival xAI, OpenAI and its lawyers characterized the suit as a competitor’s vendetta. The defense also contended that Musk knew about the company’s direction from the start.
After opening statements from OpenAI, Musk, and Microsoft, OpenAI’s key business partner, named in the suit, Musk’s attorney called him to testify. “They’re gonna make this lawsuit very complicated, but it’s actually quite simple,” the X (formerly Twitter) founder said. “Which is, it’s not OK to steal a charity. That’s my view.”
Musk further stated that he was never opposed to a for-profit branch of OpenAI serving as a “small adjunct” to the nonprofit, “as long as it was not the tail wagging the dog”.
Elon Musk’s testimony is set to continue today, alongside cross-examination by OpenAI’s attorneys.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
