Elon Musk is back on the witness stand for a second day in a high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. As the trial unfolds, Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, is seeking the removal of Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman, along with a staggering $134 billion in “wrongful gains” to be redirected to the OpenAI charity. Originally, Musk had aimed to claim that amount for himself.
The legal battle, which began two years ago, centers on Musk’s allegations that OpenAI and its leaders abandoned the organization’s non-profit structure. He contends that the $38 million he invested was misused for commercial endeavors that strayed from OpenAI’s intended charitable mission. On Tuesday, Musk took the stand, presenting his perspective on his crucial contributions during the company’s formative years and emphasizing the importance of its nonprofit goals.
During his testimony, Musk portrayed a relaxed demeanor as he discussed his early involvement with OpenAI and expressed pride in laying its foundation. He noted that his time, money, and resources were instrumental to the organization’s initial success. Musk stepped down from OpenAI’s board in 2018 after several disputes with Altman and Brockman, particularly regarding plans to integrate the organization with Tesla. Following his exit, OpenAI transitioned to a for-profit subsidiary model to facilitate capital acquisition for its technological development.
When questioned about this shift, Musk clarified his stance on for-profit entities within the organization. “I’m not opposed to a smaller for-profit subsidiary,” he stated, “as long as the tail didn’t wag the dog.” He expressed his concern that the for-profit arm should not dominate the nonprofit’s mission, asserting that he initially chose a nonprofit model for OpenAI to prioritize benefits for humanity over personal gain. “I could have started it as a for-profit and I chose not to,” he emphasized.
OpenAI has countered Musk’s claims, describing the lawsuit as baseless. William Savitt, representing OpenAI, told the jury that Musk’s grievances stem from his inability to have his way within the organization. The trial is being presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in federal court in Oakland, California, where journalists from CNBC are covering the proceedings live from the courtroom and various bureaus.
As the trial progresses, the public is closely watching Musk’s testimony, which could significantly impact the future of OpenAI and its leadership. Musk’s legal action highlights ongoing tensions regarding the commercialization of artificial intelligence and the commitments organizations make to their foundational principles. The outcome of this case may set precedents for similar disputes in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/29/musk-altman-live-updates-day-3-open-ai-trial.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-29 21:14:00
