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In a revealing testimony during a federal jury trial, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman disclosed that billionaire Elon Musk once attempted to gain absolute control over the artificial intelligence research organization. According to Altman, Musk’s ambitions for the company went as far as suggesting that control of OpenAI could eventually pass to his children after his death. This testimony emerged as part of an ongoing legal battle in which Musk is suing Altman, alleging the mismanagement of charitable donations and the "looting" of the organization’s original non-profit mission.
The conflict dates back to the early years of OpenAI when Musk proposed a significant shift in its operational structure. Altman recounted that Musk pushed for the organization to become a for-profit entity, even suggesting it operate as a subsidiary of Tesla. Musk reportedly believed that his status as a high-profile business leader would provide the financial leverage and prestige necessary to accelerate the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, the proposal was met with stiff resistance from Altman and other co-founders, who maintained that no single individual should hold such unilateral power over the future of AI technology.
The impasse ultimately led to a fractured relationship between the tech giants. Despite Musk’s offers of increased financial backing, the co-founders prioritized the organization’s original mission over the allure of Musk’s capital. By 2018, Musk officially departed from OpenAI, withdrawing his substantial financial support which included quarterly contributions of approximately $5 million. Upon his exit, Musk reportedly claimed that the organization was destined to fail without his leadership and vision—a prediction that has since been challenged by OpenAI’s massive growth and multi-billion dollar partnership with Microsoft.
This testimony sheds new light on the long-standing tensions within the AI industry regarding governance and the balance between non-profit ideals and commercial reality. As the legal proceedings continue, the case highlights the philosophical divide between those advocating for decentralized control of AGI and those who view centralized, well-funded corporate structures as the most viable path forward. The trial remains a focal point for the technology sector, as it explores the foundational disputes that shaped the world's leading AI laboratory.
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