The world’s richest person claims that OpenAI, along with its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman, enticed his $38 million contribution by assuring the creation of a nonprofit focused on the safe advancement of AI, only to shift towards establishing a for-profit entity for their own gain.
OpenAI has countered that Musk, who leads Tesla and SpaceX, is motivated by a desire to dominate OpenAI and harbors resentment over the company’s achievements since his departure from the board in 2018. They contend he did not prioritize safety matters during his tenure and is now trying to bolster his own AI venture, SpaceX unit xAI, which currently trails OpenAI in user adoption.
Also Read: On witness stand, Elon Musk accuses Sam Altman’s lawyer of trying to trick him
William Savitt, representing OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman, questioned Musk about whether he reviewed a term sheet forwarded by Altman on August 31, 2017, regarding OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit model overseen by a nonprofit.
”My testimony is that I didn’t read the fine print, just the headline,” Musk replied, dressed in a dark suit, solid dark tie, and white shirt.
’YOU CUT ME OFF’
Musk occasionally voiced his annoyance during Savitt’s questioning.
”Few answers are going to be complete, especially when you cut me off all the time,” Musk remarked.
The exchanges on Thursday recalled the tense cross-examination from Tuesday, when Savitt confronted Musk with text messages and emails indicating his previous openness to forming a for-profit entity and that Altman had kept him informed about Microsoft’s investments in OpenAI.
Savitt is anticipated to continue his cross-examination of Musk for about an hour on Thursday, followed by a lawyer for Microsoft who will also question him.
OpenAI, founded in 2015, has transitioned from a nonprofit research organization based in Brockman’s apartment to a company valued at over $850 billion, with plans for a potential initial public offering.
Also Read: Elon Musk says OpenAI was his idea, before executives looted it
$150 BILLION IN DAMAGES
Musk is pursuing $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, one of its principal investors, with the intention that the funds support OpenAI’s charitable efforts. Musk also seeks to have OpenAI revert to a nonprofit status, demanding the removal of Altman and Brockman as officers and Altman from the board. His claims include breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment.
On Wednesday, jurors in federal court in Oakland, California, reviewed an email Musk sent to Altman and Brockman in 2017, in which he referred to himself as a ”fool” for funding what he believed was a nonprofit initiative.
”I felt like they had not been honest with me,” Musk stated during questioning by his attorney, Steven Molo. ”What they really wanted to do was create a for-profit entity where they could maximize shareholder ownership.”
OpenAI has claimed that forming a for-profit entity was necessary to secure private investments to acquire computing power and compensate top scientists.
The trial commenced on Monday and is projected to last several weeks. Following Musk, the next witnesses expected to testify include his close aide, Jared Birchall, Brockman, and AI safety expert Stuart Russell.
