Elon Musk spent three days on the witness stand in his lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit research lab but left its board in 2018. He now claims the company betrayed its original mission by converting to a for-profit structure and partnering with Microsoft.
Musk argues OpenAI abandoned its commitment to developing artificial general intelligence for humanity's benefit. Instead, he contends the company prioritizes profits and corporate interests. His legal team frames the case around breach of contract and misuse of nonprofit assets.
Altman and OpenAI defend their transformation as necessary to raise capital for advanced AI research. They maintain Musk had limited involvement after departing the board and that their current structure serves the public interest.
The trial hinges on whether OpenAI's structural shift violates its founding principles. Legal experts view the case as a test of accountability for AI companies claiming public benefit status while operating as profit-driven enterprises.
Testimony from both sides continues. The outcome could reshape how AI startups balance nonprofit missions with commercial operations.