Elon Musk testified in the first week of his lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman deceived him into funding the company. Musk wore a black suit and tie as he presented his case in the landmark trial.
The Tesla founder also issued a stark warning about artificial intelligence. Musk stated that AI poses an existential threat and could destroy humanity. His testimony connected this concern to OpenAI's current operations and trajectory.
During the proceedings, Musk disclosed that his own AI company, xAI, uses distilled versions of OpenAI's models in its development work. This revelation adds complexity to the dispute over intellectual property and company direction.
The lawsuit centers on Musk's allegations that Altman and Brockman shifted OpenAI from its original nonprofit mission toward a for-profit structure without his knowledge or consent. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed from the board in 2018.
The trial represents a major confrontation between two of Silicon Valley's most prominent figures over the control and future direction of cutting-edge AI technology. Musk's testimony in week one established his core claims while introducing broader safety concerns into the courtroom record.