Musk v. Altman Trial Begins Over OpenAI's Future
A nine-person jury was seated as opening arguments begin Tuesday in Oakland in Musk's 2024 suit seeking removal of OpenAI leaders and up to $134 billion in damages.
WiredSome Musk v. Altman Jurors Don't Like Elon Musk
World News GroupJury selection begins in lawsuit between OpenAI co-founders
CNBCJudge in Musk v. Altman seats nine-person jury. Opening arguments start Tuesday
MIT Technology ReviewElon Musk and Sam Altman are going to court over OpenAI’s future
Overview
A nine-person jury was seated on Monday in Oakland in the high-stakes lawsuit between Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
Musk, who sued in 2024, alleges Sam Altman and Greg Brockman deceived him about keeping OpenAI a nonprofit and seeks removal of their roles and up to $134 billion in damages.
OpenAI called the lawsuit "a baseless and jealous bid to derail a competitor," and Musk amplified critical coverage of Altman on X while both sides prepare witnesses including Ilya Sutskever, Mira Murati and Satya Nadella.
OpenAI is valued at over $850 billion, and Musk's rival xAI folded into SpaceX is valued at $1.25 trillion, highlighting the trial's potential industry stakes.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers divided the trial into liability and remedies phases, opening arguments are scheduled for Tuesday, and the liability phase is expected to wrap by May 21.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as Musk weaponizing his platform around a high-stakes trial, emphasizing that he 'boosted' Ronan Farrow’s skeptical profile and highlighting his incendiary post. They include OpenAI’s rebuttal but give limited direct Altman response, collectively tilting coverage toward platform manipulation and motive.