Elon Musk Updates Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Demands Donations to Charity
Elon Musk has made changes to his lawsuit against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. In a surprising twist, Musk now wants any money awarded from the lawsuit to be given to OpenAI’s charitable branch instead of himself. This news comes from a report by the Wall Street Journal, which also mentions that he is asking for the removal of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman from the company’s nonprofit board.
Additionally, Musk is requesting that Altman, along with OpenAI President Greg Brockman, hand over any financial benefits or stocks they have to the charity. This development marks the latest chapter in Musk’s ongoing conflict with OpenAI, with the court case scheduled to go to trial later this month in Oakland, California.
Musk Claims $150 Billion in Damages
Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015, left the company in 2019, citing concerns that it was not sticking to its mission of benefiting humanity. He later filed this lawsuit against OpenAI, seeking over $150 billion in damages—not only from OpenAI but also from Microsoft, a key investor. Musk argues that OpenAI has shifted from its original nonprofit goals and misled him as a donor while transitioning to a for-profit model.
Musk’s lawyer, Marc Toberoff, emphasized that Musk is “not seeking a single dollar for himself.” Instead, Musk’s aim is to ensure that the charity gets back what was taken and to prevent anyone from doing this again. Toberoff stated that this adjustment clarifies Musk’s initial claims, which have been misrepresented along the way.
OpenAI Responds to Musk’s Claims
In a direct response, OpenAI criticized Musk’s actions, stating that his motivations are rooted in “ego” and “jealousy.” The organization alleged that Musk is using the lawsuit as a platform to gain more control and wealth for himself. They also claimed that Musk’s latest filing is an attempt to alter the narrative as the trial date approaches, asserting that the lawsuit serves only as a form of harassment rather than a legitimate grievance.
As this legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming trial, where Musk and OpenAI will present their sides in what has become a highly charged dispute over the future of artificial intelligence and nonprofit integrity.
