Elon Musk Revives Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Sam Altman

Elon Musk has reignited a legal battle against OpenAI and its leadership, filing a new lawsuit in federal court that accuses CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman of manipulating him into co-founding the artificial intelligence firm under false pretenses. Musk claims he was "courted and deceived" into believing OpenAI would operate as a nonprofit focused on the safe development of AI technology. The lawsuit alleges that after Musk invested millions, he was "betrayed" as OpenAI transitioned to a for-profit model, engaging in self-dealing and forming opaque partnerships, particularly with Microsoft. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California, echoes claims from a previous suit Musk withdrew earlier this year. Musk argues that Altman and Brockman assured him that OpenAI's nonprofit structure would prioritize humanity's benefit over shareholder interests. However, he now describes this as a "long con," asserting that the organization has strayed from its founding mission of developing open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI). Musk's legal action also implicates Microsoft, which has invested approximately $13 billion in OpenAI, alleging that the tech giant has entrenched itself within the company, undermining its original goals. The lawsuit further claims that OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft has shifted the narrative of the company’s mission, prioritizing profit over safety and openness. In response, OpenAI has pointed to Musk's earlier communications, suggesting he acknowledged the need for financial resources to support AI development. The ongoing legal disputes come amid broader scrutiny of OpenAI's practices, including investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.