OpenAI and billionaire Elon Musk have agreed to move forward with an expedited trial regarding OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model. According to recent court filings, both parties aim to resolve the dispute by the end of this year, with details on whether the final decision will be made by a jury or by a judge still pending.
Earlier this month, the presiding judge declined Musk’s request to halt OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit structure but approved a fast-tracked trial schedule. OpenAI publicly welcomed the decision, describing Musk’s earlier efforts to delay its business transition as serving his own interests.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 alongside current CEO Sam Altman, left the organization before it gained wide acclaim for launching ChatGPT. He later founded the rival AI startup xAI in 2023. Last year, Musk sued OpenAI and Altman, claiming the venture had diverged from its original mission to develop artificial intelligence “for the good of humanity,” rather than focusing on corporate profits.
OpenAI denies Musk’s accusations and maintains that converting to a for-profit model is essential for securing investment and staying competitive in the high-stakes AI industry. Altman, in turn, alleges that Musk’s actions are an attempt to undermine a direct competitor.
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