Altman Testifies: Musk's OpenAI Lawsuit Heats Up

Sam Altman is testifying in federal court in Oakland, California, regarding a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against OpenAI. Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages and wants OpenAI reverted to non-profit status. The case centers on whether Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman breached a charitable trust by restructuring OpenAI away from its non-profit origins. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and donated about $38 million. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also testified, calling Altman's brief ousting "amateur city." Microsoft, which has invested over $13 billion in OpenAI, is a co-defendant, accused of aiding and abetting the alleged breach of trust. Musk argues OpenAI's 2015 charter established a binding charitable trust. He claims Altman and Brockman violated this by allowing a for-profit subsidiary to dominate. He believes a $10 billion Microsoft investment in 2022 confirmed the mission was abandoned. OpenAI's defense states Musk sought to lead the company as a commercial entity and only sued after failing to gain control. Brockman's journal entries from 2017 were introduced, discussing converting the non-profit without Musk. The judge makes the final decision, and this case could impact how charitable organizations operate.