Greg Brockman opposed OpenAI-Tesla merger in 2018 memo
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 7
Greg Brockman opposed OpenAI-Tesla merger in 2018 memo
8 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 7
The January 2018 memo to Elon Musk said folding the non-profit lab into Tesla would sacrifice OpenAI's moral standing and duty to humanity.
Musk had pressed Brockman and fellow co-founder Sam Altman to consider a merger that would fund research and give him control over OpenAI, which he called a side benefit.
The account adds to scrutiny in Musk v. OpenAI, where the reputations of Musk and ChatGPT's founders are at stake over the lab's direction and governance.
He claimed the 'moral high ground' for humanity, so why does OpenAI's co-founder now hold a $30 billion stake?
Is the Musk vs. Altman trial about saving humanity, or just one billionaire's revenge for control of AI?
Now free from Microsoft, will OpenAI prioritize its original mission or chase profits more aggressively to survive?
Inside the 2026 OpenAI Trial: Brockman’s $30 Billion Stake, Microsoft’s Role, and AI’s Future at Stake
Overview
The 2026 trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI centers on Musk's 2017 demand for full control over OpenAI's for-profit arm, which Greg Brockman ethically rejected, leading to Musk's exit in 2018. Following his departure, Musk became a vocal critic and founded xAI, intensifying rivalry with OpenAI. Brockman's private journal, revealing his moral conflict over excluding Musk, was disclosed as key evidence. Shortly before trial, Musk attempted a settlement but threatened OpenAI leaders, seen as coercive. The court also held Microsoft liable as a co-defendant for knowingly supporting OpenAI's shift from nonprofit to for-profit. Governance failures and leadership doubts exposed during the trial have fueled regulatory scrutiny and increased interest in decentralized AI alternatives, marking a pivotal moment in AI governance and industry dynamics.