The legal battle between OpenAI and its co-founder-turned-critic Elon Musk is moving forward at an accelerated pace. Both parties have agreed to expedite the trial concerning OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, according to a federal court filing made on Friday, as reported by Reuters.
This latest development stems from Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, in which he alleges that the artificial intelligence research firm has deviated from its original mission of developing AI for humanity’s benefit rather than corporate gain. OpenAI, in response, has dismissed the claims, asserting that Musk’s legal action is an attempt to hinder a competitor.
Musk’s Request Denied Earlier
A judge in the US District Court for the Northern District of California previously declined Musk’s request to halt OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit structure. However, the court did approve an expedited trial set to take place in the fall, ensuring that the high-profile case will be resolved in a shorter timeframe. The filing also notes that a decision on whether the trial will be judged by a jury or solely by a judge has been deferred for now.
OpenAI expressed satisfaction with the recent court decision, stating in a blog post on Friday, “We welcome the court’s March 4 decision rejecting Elon Musk’s latest attempt to slow down OpenAI for his personal benefit.”
Why Did OpenAI Change Structure?
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI alongside Altman in 2015 but departed before its rise to prominence, later established his own AI company, xAI, in 2023. The dispute between the two parties centres on OpenAI’s structural shift, which the company argues is essential to secure the funding required to stay competitive in the increasingly costly AI sector.
The firm recently raised $6.6 billion and is reportedly in discussions with SoftBank Group for an additional funding round of up to $40 billion — both of which are contingent on the nonprofit relinquishing its control.
Adding another layer to the corporate battle, Altman recently turned down an unsolicited $97.4 billion takeover offer from a Musk-led consortium with a straightforward response: “No, thank you.”
