Market & Regulation
Musk claims deception in OpenAI lawsuit
MIT Technology Review AImedium confidence
Why it matters
- →The trial could reshape the governance and structure of AI companies. • Musk's claims highlight ongoing concerns about AI safety and ethical practices. • The outcome may influence investor confidence in OpenAI and its valuation.
In a high-profile trial, Elon Musk accused OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman of deceiving him into funding the company, claiming he was misled about its nonprofit mission. Musk expressed concerns about the potential dangers of AI, stating that it could lead to catastrophic outcomes. He revealed that his own AI company, xAI, utilizes OpenAI's models, which has raised questions about competition and ethical practices in the AI industry. The trial's outcome could significantly impact OpenAI's future and its impending IPO plans.
Read originalThe story around this
Earlier coverage that leads up to this article, and what followed. Lines connect each piece to the closest one after it, converging here.
How we got here
- 1Musk Acknowledges xAI Used OpenAI Models
WIRED AI · April 30, 2026 · Same story
- 2Musk testifies xAI trained Grok on OpenAI models
TechCrunch AI · April 30, 2026 · Same story
- 3Musk reveals xAI used OpenAI models for Grok
The Verge AI · April 30, 2026 · Same story
What happened next
- 4Elon Musk's Lawsuit Challenges OpenAI's Safety Practices
TechCrunch AI · May 7, 2026 · Same story
- 5Musk v. Altman Trial Concludes with OpenAI Verdict
MIT Technology Review AI · May 15, 2026 · Related
- 6Elon Musk Loses Lawsuit Against OpenAI
WIRED AI · May 18, 2026 · Same story
- 7Musk's $100B Lawsuit Against OpenAI Dismissed
The Rundown AI · May 19, 2026 · Same story
- 8xAI sues man for using Grok to create CSAM
The Verge AI · July 15, 2026 · Related
Follow this story
Open the full story →Musk and Altman Face Court Over OpenAI's Structure
14 developments
- Apr 27 · MIT Technology Review AI
Musk and Altman Face Court Over OpenAI's Structure - Apr 28 · WIRED AI
Musk Testifies on OpenAI's Purpose↳ Musk testified he founded OpenAI to prevent a Terminator outcome, while the judge warned him and Altman about social media interactions. - Apr 29 · The Rundown AI
Elon Musk's $130B Trial Against OpenAI Begins - Apr 29 · WIRED AI
Musk Cross-Examined in OpenAI Trial↳ OpenAI lawyers cross-examined Musk, with tensions reported as high on the third day of proceedings. - Apr 29 · TechCrunch AI
Musk's Legal Battle Against OpenAI Continues↳ Musk faces cross-examination over his tweets during the second day of testimony. - Apr 30 · The Verge AI
Elon Musk Faces Tough Cross-Examination in Court↳ Musk struggled to give straightforward answers during cross-examination, drawing mixed jury reactions. - Apr 30 · WIRED AI
Musk v. Altman Trial Impacts AI Industry↳ The trial could significantly impact OpenAI and the broader AI sector. - May 1 · TechCrunch AI
Musk's Lawsuit Against OpenAI Intensifies - May 1 · TechCrunch AI
Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI unfolds - May 1 · Matt Wolfe
Elon Musk Sues OpenAI Over Mission Shift - May 1 · MIT Technology Review AI
Musk claims deception in OpenAI lawsuit (This article) - May 6 · The Verge AI
Mira Murati Testifies Against Sam Altman in Court↳ Mira Murati testifies Sam Altman misled her about AI safety reviews, contradicting his assurances. - May 7 · The Verge AI
Mira Murati's Role in Sam Altman's Ouster Revealed↳ Murati testified she initially backed the board's decision to oust Altman but later advocated for his return. - May 8 · MIT Technology Review AI
Musk v. OpenAI: Trial Reveals Internal Conflicts
More from MIT Technology Review AI
More in Market & Regulation
© TechCrunch AIMarket & Regulationother
Judge allows NAACP lawsuit over xAI pollution to proceed
xAI's attempt to dismiss the NAACP's Clean Air Act lawsuit failed after a federal judge ruled that its gas turbines are not exempt mobile sources and that plaintiffs have standing. This legal setback confirms that AI infrastructure operators cannot bypass environmental permitting by classifying heavy industrial equipment as temporary or mobile. The ruling forces xAI to face scrutiny over air quality impacts at its Colossus data center, setting a precedent for how large-scale compute facilities are regulated under existing environmental laws.
TechCrunch AI
© TechCrunch AIInvestment · $20B
Market & Regulationbusiness
OpenAI cuts funding target to $20B amid tepid demand
OpenAI is scaling back its ambitions as investor appetite for massive AI infrastructure bets cools. The company has lowered its fundraising target from $30 billion to $20 billion, with only $11 billion secured so far against a valuation that has dropped from $1.4 trillion. This retreat signals a growing wariness among Wall Street investors regarding the capital intensity of the AI race, forcing even the most dominant players to adjust their financial expectations.
TechCrunch AI
© The AI Daily BriefMarket & Regulationbusiness
Legal AI startup Crosby bids for Weil’s assets
Crosby, a legal AI startup, has placed a bid for the assets of law firm Weil.
The AI Daily Brief