29.04.2026 07:01
American billionaire businessman Elon Musk and the founders of OpenAI faced off in court over a lawsuit filed by Musk. Musk's lawyer argued that the case was not financial but 'for humanity.' Musk highlighted the risks related to artificial intelligence, saying, 'AI can make humanity more prosperous, but it could also kill us all.' The OpenAI side rejected the accusations, claiming the lawsuit stemmed from personal disagreements.
In the lawsuit Elon Musk filed against OpenAI's founders, the parties faced each other in court. Musk argued that the purpose of the lawsuit was "the benefit of humanity," while the opposing side denied the allegations.
Opening arguments were presented on the second day of the trial, which began with jury selection on Monday at the district court in Oakland, California. During the hearing presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, Musk's attorney Steven Molo, OpenAI's attorney William Savitt, Microsoft's attorney Russell Cohen, and Elon Musk himself took the floor.
MUSK'S SIDE: THIS LAWSUIT IS FOR HUMANITY
Musk's attorney Steven Molo stated that the lawsuit did not aim for financial gain and was filed for "the benefit of humanity as a whole." Molo argued that OpenAI would not have been founded without Musk, saying Musk brought together leading artificial intelligence scientists and provided the company with $38 million in initial capital.
OPENAI'S RESPONSE: "DESIRE FOR CONTROL IS THE REAL REASON"
OpenAI's attorney William Savitt rejected Musk's claims. Savitt asserted that Musk never argued OpenAI should remain a purely non-profit structure. Noting that Musk supported the for-profit structure as long as he retained control, Savitt stated that Musk did not provide all the promised funds and the company had to seek other sources.
Savitt further argued that Musk filed the lawsuit because he didn't get what he wanted, adding, "My clients succeeded without him. He may not like that, but it is not grounds for a lawsuit."
MICROSOFT JOINS: WE WERE UNAWARE OF ANY VIOLATION
Microsoft's attorney Russell Cohen provided information about the company's partnership with OpenAI, stating they were unaware of any violations. Cohen argued that Musk brought up his allegations after ChatGPT's success and the establishment of xAI.
MUSK: AI CAN ELEVATE HUMANITY BUT ALSO DESTROY IT
Taking the floor in court, Elon Musk emphasized that artificial intelligence holds both great opportunities and serious risks for humanity. "AI can make humanity more prosperous, but it could also kill us all," Musk said, likening the process to raising children and highlighting the importance of correct values. Musk also claimed that AI could reach human-level intelligence within a short period.
"IF IT WERE FOR PROFIT, I WOULD HAVE SET IT UP THAT WAY FROM THE START"
In his assessment of the case, Musk stated he played a key role in OpenAI's founding, saying, "If the goal were to make a profit, I wouldn't have invested resources. I could have set it up as a for-profit venture from the beginning, but I chose it to be for the benefit of humanity."
ACCUSATION OF "BETRAYAL OF HUMANITY"
In his lawsuit filed in August 2024, Elon Musk accused Sam Altman and Greg Brockman of "betraying the company's mission to benefit humanity." The trial, expected to last about three weeks, plans to continue Musk's defense on Wednesday.