Elon Musk testified Thursday in a federal court in Oakland, California, accusing OpenAI of abandoning its original nonprofit mission [1].
The case centers on whether the AI developer shifted toward a profit-driven model after receiving millions of dollars in donations intended for the development of safe artificial intelligence [1]. The outcome could establish legal precedents for how nonprofit organizations transition to commercial structures while managing public-interest mandates.
Musk spent the second day of testimony [2] facing cross-examination by lawyers for OpenAI, which is led by CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman [1]. During the proceedings, Musk expressed regret over his early involvement with the company. "I was a fool to fund OpenAI," Musk said [3].
The plaintiff alleges that the organization moved away from its safety-first approach to prioritize financial gain. Musk emphasized his role in the company's inception, stating, "Without me, OpenAI wouldn't exist" [3].
Throughout the trial, Musk has been critical of the current leadership. He previously referred to the CEO as "Scam Altman" [4]. In the Oakland courtroom, Musk said the opposing legal team attempted to trick him during the cross-examination [5].
This marks the second day of testimony [2] in a legal battle that highlights the tension between rapid commercial scaling and the ethical constraints of AI safety. The trial continues as the court examines the transition of OpenAI from a research-focused nonprofit to a dominant force in the global tech market [1].
“"Without me, OpenAI wouldn't exist,"”
This lawsuit represents a fundamental conflict over the governance of artificial intelligence. If the court finds that OpenAI breached its original nonprofit charter, it could force a restructuring of how AI companies balance venture capital interests with safety commitments. The case also underscores the personal and professional rift between Musk and Altman as they compete for dominance in the AI sector.
