Musk Skips OpenAI Trial Closing Arguments as Lawyer Defends China Trip and Altman Clash
Updated
Updated · NBC News · May 14
Musk Skips OpenAI Trial Closing Arguments as Lawyer Defends China Trip and Altman Clash
17 articles · Updated · NBC News · May 14
Oakland jurors heard Elon Musk’s lawyer apologize for his absence as closing arguments opened in Musk’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of betraying its nonprofit mission.
China was the reason: Musk had joined President Donald Trump on a state visit after the judge warned he was not excused and could still be recalled, though the evidence phase ended Wednesday without that happening.
Steven Molo used the closing to attack Sam Altman’s credibility, saying five witnesses had called him a liar and highlighting Greg Brockman’s nearly $30 billion stake and the foundation’s $130 billion holding.
OpenAI lawyer Sarah Eddy countered that Musk himself pushed a for-profit structure in 2017, wanted OpenAI under his control, and sued too late for any claim to survive.
The three-week trial is now heading to jury deliberations Monday, when Musk is also scheduled to speak at a transportation conference in Israel.
Musk's AI firm also chased profits. Is his lawsuit about principle or just slowing a powerful rival?
With rivals rising and costs soaring, is OpenAI's AI dominance more fragile than its valuation suggests?
Can AI truly serve humanity if controlled by corporations seeking trillion-dollar valuations?
$850 Billion at Stake: Elon Musk’s Lawsuit Against OpenAI and the Future of AI Governance
Overview
The high-profile legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI has reached a decisive moment, with the jury set to deliberate after closing arguments. At the heart of the case is Musk’s claim that OpenAI abandoned its original non-profit mission by creating a for-profit subsidiary now valued at over $850 billion, fundamentally shifting its purpose and structure. The trial, closely managed by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, has focused on contractual and fiduciary issues, avoiding broader debates about AI risks. The outcome could reshape OpenAI’s future, impact investor confidence, and set important precedents for AI governance and the transition from non-profit to for-profit models.