OpenAI Calls Defense Witnesses in Musk Trial as $852 Billion Valuation Raises Stakes for Altman
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 12
OpenAI Calls Defense Witnesses in Musk Trial as $852 Billion Valuation Raises Stakes for Altman
18 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 12
Third-week testimony shifted to OpenAI’s defense Monday, with board chair Bret Taylor telling jurors Sam Altman has been “forthright” and has done “a great job” as CEO.
That turn came after former board members and co-founder Ilya Sutskever described a 2023 “pattern of lying,” poor candor and resistance to oversight that fed Altman’s brief ouster.
Altman is expected to testify this week in Oakland as Musk presses a civil suit seeking to remove him again and redirect money to OpenAI’s charitable arm rather than collect damages himself.
OpenAI, now valued at $852 billion after evolving from a Musk-backed nonprofit into a commercial powerhouse, faces wider scrutiny of its leadership and mission regardless of the verdict.
The case is unfolding as OpenAI, Musk’s AI venture and Anthropic all move toward potential blockbuster IPOs, amplifying the trial’s implications for the broader AI industry.
With his credibility on trial, can Sam Altman’s testimony this week save OpenAI’s trillion-dollar dream?
Is the Musk vs. OpenAI feud a battle for AI’s soul or a billionaire's bitter revenge?
Musk v. OpenAI: The High-Stakes Legal Battle Over AI’s Mission, Money, and Microsoft’s $10 Billion Bet
Overview
As of May 12, 2026, the legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI is reaching its climax, with Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, set to deliver crucial testimony. This pivotal phase could sway the jury and shape public perception, as neither side has a clear advantage after seven days of intense testimony. The trial has been marked by high tension and visible stress among key figures, while the jury shows signs of fatigue. Altman’s upcoming testimony is expected to address the core disputes and may play a decisive role in the final verdict.