tech
April 29, 2026
End of 'Terminator'? Musk, in trial against OpenAI, warns that AI 'could kill us all'
Magnate Elon Musk took the stand Tuesday to accuse OpenAI CEO Sam Altman of betraying the non-profit origins of the ChatGPT creator company, in a trial that could have profound consequences for the artificial intelligence sector.
TL;DR
- Elon Musk is suing OpenAI, accusing CEO Sam Altman of betraying the company's non-profit origins.
- Musk claims he was misled about OpenAI's altruistic mission and fears uncontrolled AI development could be an existential threat to humanity.
- The lawsuit includes Microsoft as a partner of OpenAI.
- Musk invested $38 million in OpenAI, which was co-founded in 2015 with the promise of being a non-profit laboratory.
- OpenAI has since become a commercial entity, with Microsoft investing heavily.
- Musk founded his own AI lab, xAI, and warned against a 'Terminator' scenario of uncontrolled AI.
- OpenAI's legal response claims Musk sought absolute control and that the lawsuit is an ego-driven campaign.
- The judge will decide if OpenAI broke a promise to Musk or intelligently leveraged technology for success.
- Musk is seeking the removal of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman and wants OpenAI to return to a non-profit structure.
- Musk has renounced personal damages and pledged any compensation to OpenAI's non-profit organization.