Musk sought 90% of OpenAI, CEO Altman testifies in blockbuster trial

In a blockbuster trial that has captivated Silicon Valley, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the stand Tuesday to detail Elon Musk's alleged attempts to seize majority control of the artificial intelligence giant.

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It does not fit with my conception of the words 'stealing a charity' to look at what has actually happened here.

Altman, testifying in Oakland, California, directly refuted Musk's claims that OpenAI misused his initial investment, stating, "It does not fit with my conception of the words 'stealing a charity' to look at what has actually happened here." He emphasized pride in the work done and the value created by the organization.

The core of the dispute lies in OpenAI's transformation from a non-profit founded in 2015 to a for-profit subsidiary established in 2019. Altman and others argue this shift was essential to secure the massive funding needed to compete in the costly AI race against rivals like Google and China's Deepseek. Musk, however, is demanding a return to non-profit status, a move that would significantly alter the global AI landscape.

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I am very proud of the work people have done, the value that has been created, and the support that this non-profit has.

OpenAI's defense paints Musk's lawsuit as a retaliatory act, fueled by his frustration over not securing the dominant stake he desired. Altman recounted how Musk initially demanded 90 percent of the equity, a demand that, while softened, always centered on majority control. The CEO also highlighted Musk's unwillingness to commit contractually without long-term control, a point that made OpenAI uncomfortable given its founding principle to prevent AGI from being controlled by any single individual.

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An early number that Mr. Musk threw out was that he should have 90 percent of the equity to start.

This trial underscores the immense financial stakes in the AI industry, with billions of dollars fueling the race for artificial general intelligence. For OpenAI, the legal battle is not just about past investments but about the future governance and direction of a technology poised to reshape humanity.

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It then softened, but it always was a majority.