OpenAI faces trial as Musk claims founders betrayed original AI safety vision

Elon Musk has taken OpenAI and its leadership to court, saying that the company betrayed its original mission of ensuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed safely for the benefit of humanity.

During the hearing trial in California, Musk’s lawyer said that OpenAI’s founders abandoned their original vision and turned the organisation into a profit-driven company.

Musk argued that the defendants “stole a charity” and should be held accountable for shifting away from its nonprofit purpose.

Musk has filed the lawsuit against OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, claiming they misused the organisation’s founding principles and transformed it into a commercial AI powerhouse.

He says OpenAI was originally created in 2015 to develop safe AI for public benefit, not for financial gain.

According to Musk’s legal team, he played a key role in the early development of OpenAI by contributing funding, recruiting top researchers, and supporting its mission to advance AI responsibly.

They argue that without Musk’s involvement, OpenAI would not exist in its current form.

The lawsuit seeks $150 billion in damages, with claims that OpenAI’s shift into a for-profit structure betrayed both Musk and the public trust.

Musk is also demanding that the company revert to its nonprofit model and that its current leadership be removed.

OpenAI, however, has rejected the allegations, saying Musk supported early structural changes and only raised objections after leaving the organisation and later launching his own AI company, xAI.

The company argues that Musk’s legal action is motivated by competition and personal interest.

The case is now underway, with jurors expected to hear testimony from key figures including Musk, Sam Altman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

The trial is expected to continue as both sides present arguments over OpenAI’s transformation and future direction.