The lawsuit between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is heading to trial in a public grudge match.
A US federal judge has indicated that Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI may proceed to trial to halt its transformation into a for-profit entity. The judge stated that Musk will need to testify in court.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, expressed that a trial is imminent, where Musk will present his case to a jury for a decision.
The legal battle is the culmination of ongoing tensions between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, playing out in a public courtroom setting.
Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015 but later departed to establish the competing AI startup xAI in 2023.
OpenAI is now undergoing a transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization to secure necessary funding for advanced artificial intelligence models.
Amidst claims of betrayal, Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Altman, alleging a departure from the original humanitarian mission of the organization.
The dispute arises from a power struggle within OpenAI in 2017, which saw Altman assuming the role of CEO over Musk’s aspirations for leadership.
High stakes are involved in the legal battle, with OpenAI’s fundraising efforts and corporate restructuring at the center of contention.
High stakes
Various entities, including Meta Platforms, have joined Musk in challenging OpenAI’s transformation to a for-profit entity, reflecting industry-wide concerns over the organization’s shift in mission and structure.
