The long-simmering feud between tech titans Elon Musk and Sam Altman is moving from social media to a federal courtroom. Starting Tuesday, a month-long trial in California will determine whether Altman and OpenAI defrauded Musk out of millions and abandoned the company's original non-profit mission.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, claims the ChatGPT maker switched to a for-profit model illegally, enriching Altman, co-founder Greg Brockman, and Microsoft at his expense. He seeks billions in damages and Altman's removal. OpenAI counters that Musk is driven by jealousy and regret after leaving the company in 2018.
The case has drawn comparisons to a heavyweight boxing match, with observers calling it "King Kong vs. Godzilla." Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has promised no special treatment for the billionaire litigants.
Musk's lawsuit alleges he was manipulated into donating $40 million to OpenAI, only to see it pivot to profit. OpenAI argues the for-profit shift was necessary to advance its mission and that Musk wanted total control. Musk's subsequent purchase attempt of OpenAI for $97.4 billion was rejected.
Now, a nine-person jury will weigh the evidence, including testimony from both men. The outcome could reshape the future of AI development. As one expert noted, "Musk's motives may not be purely altruistic," given his rival xAI lags behind. Regardless, the trial promises a revealing glimpse into the clash of two of tech's most powerful figures.