AI Policy & Regulation
May 4, 2026
Elon Musk sought settlement with OpenAI before trial, claims company deviated from nonprofit mission
May 4, 2026
AI Summary
Elon Musk texted OpenAI's president about a potential settlement just before his lawsuit against the company was set to begin. Musk alleges that OpenAI, co-founded by him, has strayed from its original nonprofit goals and has since embraced commercialization, leading to a significant increase in its valuation.
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- Elon Musk texted OpenAI president Greg Brockman two days before the trial, suggesting a settlement.
- Musk's lawsuit claims OpenAI and its leaders, including Brockman and CEO Sam Altman, violated commitments to maintain the company as a nonprofit.
- The trial is taking place in federal court in Oakland, California, with proceedings having started last month.
- Musk has accused OpenAI of misusing his early donations for commercial purposes and has criticized the company's shift towards profit-making.
- OpenAI's lawyers plan to introduce Musk's text as evidence to demonstrate his motives in the lawsuit.
- OpenAI has dismissed Musk's allegations as unfounded, and the trial is overseen by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
elon muskopenailawsuitsettlementgreg brockman