The conflict between billionaire Elon Musk and OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman is escalating to a new level. A federal judge in Oakland, California, has ruled that the trial regarding Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI will begin in spring 2026, with a jury involved. The dispute concerns OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, transitioning from a nonprofit structure to a commercial one, which Musk claims violates the company’s original mission.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015, left the project in 2018 and later created a competitor, xAI. In 2024, he filed a lawsuit, arguing that OpenAI had deviated from its goal of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity rather than profit. Altman and OpenAI deny the accusations, calling them an attempt by Musk to hinder his competitor. Last month, the parties agreed to expedite the process, and the judge supported this decision.
The trial promises to be a major event as it involves not only the reputation of two tech giants but also the future of OpenAI. The company recently raised $10 billion from SoftBank and plans an additional $30 billion by the end of the year if restructuring is completed. Musk insists his contribution to OpenAI was charitable and not meant for commercial use.
