Musk testifies at OpenAI trial it’s not OK to ‘loot a charity’ | Elon Musk News
Elon Musk Testifies in High-Stakes Trial Against OpenAI
Elon Musk took the witness stand Tuesday in a trial concerning the future of OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT. Musk’s lawsuit targets OpenAI, its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman, accusing them of abandoning the original philanthropic mission of the organization in favor of profit-seeking objectives.
Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and founder of Tesla and SpaceX, argued that the transformation of OpenAI from a nonprofit to a profit-driven entity endangers the foundational principles of charitable giving. “If we make it OK to loot a charity, the entire foundation of charitable giving in America will be destroyed,” Musk stated during his testimony.
Musk described his dedication to public service, noting his commitment to working 80- to 100-hour weeks and minimizing personal time off. “I like working and solving problems that make people’s lives better,” he said.
Before Musk’s testimony, Bill Savitt, representing OpenAI and Altman, told jurors that it was Musk who initially sought to profit from OpenAI’s growth and expressed interest in becoming its CEO. Savitt accused Musk of attempting to regain control over the organization and suggested that Musk’s recent venture, xAI, stemmed from his unsuccessful efforts to dominate OpenAI.
“Mr. Musk didn’t get his way,” Savitt said. He emphasized that the creation of a for-profit entity in March 2019 was essential for OpenAI to acquire computing power and attract top talent, helping the organization remain competitive against rivals like Google’s DeepMind.
Conversely, Musk’s attorney, Steven Molo, asserted that the defendants demonstrated greed as OpenAI began attracting substantial investment, including from Microsoft. “It wasn’t a vehicle for people to get rich,” Molo contended.
Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, with a portion intended to support OpenAI’s charitable operations. His claims include breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment. He also seeks the reversion of OpenAI to a nonprofit entity and the removal of Altman and Brockman from their leadership positions.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers cautioned Musk about his social media activity prior to jury selection, following complaints about his posts regarding Altman. Musk agreed to limit his online comments during the trial, which is expected to feature testimonies from both Musk and Altman, as well as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
The trial is anticipated to shed light on the internal dynamics and personalities that influenced OpenAI’s evolution from a nonprofit research organization to a company valued at over $850 billion. However, it also poses potential challenges for OpenAI’s plans for a public offering by casting doubt on its leadership and may amplify concerns regarding artificial intelligence technology.
Debate Over AI Safety Emerges
OpenAI was co-founded by Musk and Altman in 2015, with the aim of advancing AI technology to benefit humanity while competing against major players like Google. Musk claimed to have had serious concerns about AI risks, particularly following discussions with then-President Barack Obama and Google executives.
“I was very close friends with Larry Page at Google,” Musk shared, asserting that differences over AI safety prompted the creation of OpenAI as a counterbalance. Savitt, in contrast, suggested that Musk did not prioritize AI safety, citing derogatory remarks he allegedly made about OpenAI employees focused on the issue.
Musk stated that he contributed approximately $38 million to OpenAI, only to see it transition to a for-profit model shortly after his departure from the board. Molo highlighted that Musk’s concerns intensified following Microsoft’s substantial investment in OpenAI in January 2023, which he described as a betrayal of the commitments made to Musk and the public.
Russell Cohen, a lawyer for Microsoft, defended the company, asserting that it acted responsibly and ethically throughout its partnership with OpenAI. Musk’s xAI, now incorporated within SpaceX, faces strong competition in the AI sector, particularly from OpenAI’s widely adopted technologies.
In a recent restructure, OpenAI transitioned to a public benefit corporation, enabling the nonprofit alongside other investors, such as Microsoft, to hold stakes in the organization.
