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MuskOpenAI Trial Zeroes In on Nonprofit Pledge and Control of AI

Jurors will weigh claims that OpenAI broke its charitable mission for profit.

William Savitt, attorney representing OpenAI, center, speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
OpenAI president Greg Brockman, second left, exits the U.S. District Court, in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Elon Musk, left, gestures as he walks through a hallway inside the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Sam Altman, left, gestures as he walks through a hallway inside the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Overview

  • A jury in Oakland is hearing the case after the judge told lawyers not to turn it into a broad debate about AI safety.
  • Musk says OpenAI leaders broke a promise to remain a nonprofit, and he seeks Sam Altman’s removal and damages reported at about $150 billion.
  • Expert witness Stuart Russell testified that the first company to reach human‑level AI would gain a major edge and he warned about bias, job loss, and misinformation.
  • OpenAI president Greg Brockman told the court that Musk later pushed for full control of the company, tying it to a larger Mars vision, and he said Musk once threatened to halt more funding.
  • Brockman also testified, as reported by BOL News, that OpenAI plans to spend nearly $50 billion on computing in 2026 to scale its systems.