A nine-member jury [2] in Oakland delivered a unanimous verdict [2] on Monday, ruling against Elon Musk in his lawsuit against OpenAI.
The decision ends a legal battle over the control and mission of the artificial intelligence company, which Musk alleged had shifted from a non-profit to a commercial entity.
During the trial, CEO Sam Altman took the stand to face cross-examination by Musk's legal team on May 12 [1]. The questioning focused on Altman's credibility and the internal governance of the organization. In one exchange, Musk's lawyer asked Altman, "Are you trustworthy?" [1].
The lawsuit sought $150 billion [1], based on claims that Altman seized control of the company after Musk's departure. Musk's legal team argued that the transition of power violated the original intent of the organization, a claim Altman contested during his testimony.
The jury reached its conclusion quickly, deliberating for less than two hours [2] before returning the verdict. The proceedings took place at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, California [1].
Altman's testimony included claims regarding Musk's own views on the company's future. He said that Musk had previously declared that control of OpenAI would go to his children if he died [3]. This testimony served as a counter-argument to the notion that the company's current structure was a deviation from Musk's original wishes.
“"Are you trustworthy?"”
The unanimous verdict reinforces OpenAI's current corporate structure and shields the company from a massive financial liability. By rejecting Musk's claims of stolen control, the court has provided a legal precedent that protects the organization's transition from a non-profit research lab to a commercial powerhouse, effectively removing a significant legal hurdle to its future scaling and investment.
