Musk's Fiery Testimony Rocks OpenAI Trial: 'You Can't Steal a Charity' as Altman Feud Escalates

Elon Musk wrapped up three days of intense testimony in his high-stakes lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman.

The Tesla and SpaceX founder accused Altman of betraying OpenAI's original nonprofit mission by shifting to a for-profit model.

From Allies to Adversaries

Musk helped co-found OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit dedicated to safe AI for humanity, donating millions early on.

He left in 2018 amid disagreements and launched rival xAI in 2023, launching Grok as a competitor to ChatGPT.

Musk sued in 2024, alleging breach of founding agreements, with the case now in trial in Oakland federal court.

Key Revelations in Court

During testimony, Musk admitted xAI used distillation techniques on OpenAI models to train Grok, a common but controversial industry practice.

Emails, texts, and old tweets surfaced, painting a picture of early tensions over control and funding.

Musk repeatedly hammered home his refrain: "You can’t steal a charity."

Implications for AI's Future

Upcoming witnesses, including Altman, could shift the trial's momentum as both sides present their visions for AI governance.

A win for Musk might force OpenAI to revert to nonprofit roots or pay damages, setting precedents for AI ethics and structure.

For everyday people, this battle decides whether powerful AI prioritizes broad humanity benefits or corporate profits.

Beyond the courtroom, it highlights growing rivalries in AI, spurring innovation but raising safety concerns amid unchecked model training.

Industry watchers predict a settlement, but the feud underscores the urgent need for clearer rules on AI development worldwide.