Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s court battle over the future of OpenAI

LIVEUpdated Today, Apr 27, 2026, 4:46 PM UTCElon Musk and Sam Altman’s court battle over the future of OpenAIby Elizabeth Lopatto and Hayden FieldLinkShareRSSGiftSam Altman and Elon Musk are set to face off in a high-stakes trial that could alter the future of tech’s leading AI startup, OpenAI. The trial begins with jury selection on April 27th, as Musk pushes forward his 2024 lawsuit that accuses OpenAI of abandoning its founding mission of developing AI to benefit humanity and shifting focus to boosting profits instead.Musk was a cofounder of OpenAI and claims that Altman and cofounder Greg Brockman tricked him into giving the company money, only to turn their backs on their original goal. However, OpenAI says that “This lawsuit has always been a baseless and jealous bid to derail a competitor” in a bid to boost Musk’s own SpaceX / xAI / X companies that have launched Grok as a competitor to ChatGPT.In his lawsuit, Musk is asking for the removal of Altman and Brockman, and for OpenAI to stop operating as a public benefit corporation. Musk has also demanded that OpenAI’s nonprofit receive up to $150 billion in damages he’s asking for if he wins the case.Here’s all the latest on the trial between Musk and Altman:HighlightsMusk vs. Altman is here, and it’s going to get messyElon Musk is about to be a very busy boy!‘Sideshow’ concerns and billionaire dreams: What I learned from Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAIInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAIToday, An hour agoElizabeth LopattoVoir dire has begun.Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has introduced herself to prospective jurors; so have all the assorted lawyers. We are looking for nine people. This case should be done by May 21st, at which point it goes to the jury.Today, Two hours agoElizabeth LopattoThe Elon Musk vs. OpenAI trial starts today.I’m in the courtroom — and jury selection will begin shortly. Sam Altman is here, but I haven’t seen Elon Musk.Today, 9:03 AM UTCRobert HartElon Musk drops fraud claims against OpenAI and Sam Altman before trial.The federal judge overseeing the case granted Musk’s request on Friday, which he says will “streamline the case” and keep things focused on “ensuring that OpenAI adheres to its public charitable mission.” Two claims will proceed to trial this week.Musk Drops Fraud Claims Against OpenAI, Altman Ahead of Trial[Bloomberg]Apr 24Elizabeth Lopatto and Hayden FieldElon Musk and Sam Altman’s courtroom brawl could burn it all downMight as well jump, as the poet David Lee Roth once said. Image: Cath Virginia / The VergeElon Musk cofounded OpenAI, and then flounced off in a huff when he wasn’t anointed CEO, leaving Sam Altman as the last power-hungry man standing. Now, Musk is back with a lawsuit, and a trial is scheduled to start in Oakland, California, on April 27th. Theoretically, it’s a legal case about whether OpenAI defrauded Musk. But that’s not really what we’re all doing here. This is about mess.Over the past couple of years, Musk’s legal theories for punishing OpenAI have run the gamut from breach of contract to unfair business practices to false advertising. Now, he and Altman will be getting called to the stand at a particularly delicate time. Musk’s xAI, now a part of SpaceX, has filed for an initial public offering. OpenAI is rumored to be considering an IPO itself. There are only billions of dollars at stake.Read Article >Apr 2Elizabeth LopattoElon Musk is about to be a very busy boy!Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty ImagesTo be…

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