Elon Musk has testified in a high-profile U.S. court case involving OpenAI, accusing its co-founder and Chief Executive Sam Altman, along with President Greg Brockman, of betraying the organisation’s original mission.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, told the court on Tuesday that the company was originally created as a nonprofit focused on developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, but has since shifted into a profit-driven enterprise.
He alleged that Altman and Brockman abandoned the founding principles of the organisation and transformed it into a commercial entity, arguing that this shift undermines the original charitable intent.
During his testimony, Musk said he played a central role in OpenAI’s early development, including contributing ideas, recruiting key personnel, and providing initial funding, stressing that the organisation was never meant to financially benefit individuals.
OpenAI, however, through its legal representatives, countered Musk’s claims, arguing that he himself had pushed for a for-profit structure and had shown interest in leading the organisation as its chief executive.
The company’s legal team also accused Musk of filing the lawsuit only after failing to gain control of the organisation, while pointing out that he later founded his own artificial intelligence company, xAI.
The trial has highlighted internal tensions over OpenAI’s transformation, particularly its shift toward a for-profit model supported by major investors such as Microsoft, which has committed billions in funding.
Musk is seeking significant damages and is also requesting that OpenAI revert to its nonprofit structure, with its current leadership removed. His legal team argues that the organisation violated its original charitable commitments.
OpenAI’s lawyers maintain that the restructuring was necessary to secure funding, access computing power, and attract top researchers in order to compete in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
The case also drew attention to Musk’s public statements on social media, prompting a U.S. judge to caution him against making comments outside court that could influence proceedings.
The trial is expected to continue with further testimony from key figures, including Sam Altman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and is being closely watched due to its implications for the future structure and governance of OpenAI.
