Mikkel Christensen
A closely watched legal battle over artificial intelligence is starting to take unexpected turns.
A closely watched legal battle over artificial intelligence is starting to take unexpected turns.
What began as a dispute over OpenAI’s direction is now drawing attention for moments inside the courtroom.
As proceedings continue, Elon Musk’s own testimony is coming under increasing scrutiny.
Legal fight intensifies
According to Futurism, Musk has filed a civil lawsuit seeking to unwind OpenAI, the organisation he co-founded in 2015 alongside Sam Altman and others.
He argues the company has abandoned its original non-profit mission by shifting toward a profit-focused structure under Altman’s leadership.
Musk stepped away from OpenAI’s board in 2018, and the case now centers on whether the company’s evolution violated its founding principles.
The claims have not been independently verified, and OpenAI has not publicly responded in detail during the trial.
Contradictions surface
During testimony on the third day, Musk made statements that appeared to conflict with his own recent remarks.
He told the court that “Tesla is not pursuing AGI,” referring to artificial general intelligence.
However, Futurism reported that a March 4, 2026 post from Musk stated: “Tesla will be one of the companies to make AGI and probably the first to make it in humanoid/atom-shaping form.” That post was entered as evidence.
Awkward moments unfold
The proceedings also included unexpected personal exchanges. When asked about his relationship with Shivon Zilis, Musk said, “I think so,” despite the two sharing four children.
He also acknowledged he “did not read the fine print” of a 2018 OpenAI term sheet sent by Altman when he exited the board.
A lawyer replied, “It’s a four-page document,” drawing attention to the admission.
Broader implications
As Futurism reports, the case could influence how AI organisations balance commercial growth with founding commitments.
Legal experts broadly note that disputes over governance and mission are increasingly common as AI companies scale rapidly.
The trial continues, with attention focused both on the legal arguments and Musk’s performance under questioning.
Sources: Futurism
