Musk vs. Altman week 3: Elon Musk and Sam Altman traded blows over each other's
Elon Musk and Sam Altman faced off in the final week of a high-stakes trial over OpenAI's governance, with both leaders' credibility challenged in court. Musk accused Altman of betraying OpenAI's nonprofit mission for profit, while Altman portrayed Musk as a power-seeking figure aiming to control artificial general intelligence. The jury will deliberate on an advisory verdict, but the judge's final decision could significantly impact OpenAI's future and its path toward an IPO.
- ▪Elon Musk is seeking to undo OpenAI's 2025 restructuring and remove Sam Altman and Greg Brockman from leadership, citing a broken nonprofit promise.
- ▪Sam Altman testified that Musk wanted control of OpenAI to pass to his children, portraying him as a power-seeker.
- ▪Altman faced allegations of lying and conflicts of interest, including investments in companies like Helion Energy that do business with OpenAI.
- ▪OpenAI's lawyer argued Musk's lawsuit is motivated by competition, as his own AI company xAI is set to go public soon.
- ▪The jury's upcoming advisory verdict is non-binding, with the judge ultimately deciding the outcome of the case.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Artificial intelligenceMusk v. Altman week 3: Elon Musk and Sam Altman traded blows over each other’s credibility. Now the jury will pick a side.The trial spilled plenty of dirt—and raised more questions than answers about how the AI giant should be governed. By Michelle Kimarchive pageMay 15, 2026OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, California.Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images In the final week of the Musk v. Altman trial, lawyers traded blows over Elon Musk’s and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s credibility. Altman was grilled on his alleged history of lying and self-dealing involving companies that do business with OpenAI.
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