Sam Altman is expected to testify in court as the high-profile legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI enters a critical stage in California.
The lawsuit, filed by Musk in 2024, accuses Altman and OpenAI executives of abandoning the company’s original nonprofit mission. Musk claims he contributed nearly $38 million to help create OpenAI as an organization focused on developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity — not for corporate profit.
According to Musk, OpenAI later shifted into a profit-driven business backed by major investors, especially Microsoft, which he says violated the founding agreement and public trust. He is seeking damages estimated at around $150 billion and wants Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman removed from leadership roles.
OpenAI strongly denies the allegations. The company argues that Musk knew about plans to create a for-profit structure years ago and supported those discussions at the time. OpenAI also claims Musk is suing because he regrets leaving the company and missing out on its massive success.
The trial has drawn huge attention across Silicon Valley because it reveals internal tensions inside OpenAI and the growing rivalry between Musk and Altman. Several former OpenAI executives and board members have testified in recent days, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who reportedly told the court Altman showed a “consistent pattern of lying.”
At the same time, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella defended Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI, calling it a “calculated risk” rather than an attempt to control the company.
The case is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. Court proceedings are expected to continue through the week, with jury deliberations possibly beginning by May 18.
The outcome could significantly affect OpenAI’s future leadership, its corporate structure, and the broader AI industry as competition intensifies between OpenAI, Musk’s xAI, and rivals such as Anthropic.
