A US judge has ruled that OpenAI's lawsuit against Elon Musk can proceed, setting the stage for a jury trial in spring 2026. The lawsuit centres around allegations of a harassment campaign orchestrated by Musk, aimed at undermining the AI company. OpenAI claims Musk engaged in these activities through social media, public statements, and even a 'sham bid' to acquire their assets.
The legal battle began after Musk sued OpenAI over its transition from a non-profit to a for-profit model. Musk argues that this shift deviates from OpenAI's original mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity. OpenAI counters that the for-profit structure is necessary to secure funding and remain competitive in the AI landscape. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the balance between innovation, commercialisation, and ethical considerations within the AI sector.
OpenAI's lawsuit includes claims of fraudulent business practices. The trial will examine whether Musk attempted to harm OpenAI after his departure from the company and whether OpenAI genuinely strayed from its initial mission.
