Altman Testifies Musk Wanted 90% Stake in OpenAI, Court Hears
Altman Testifies Musk Wanted 90% Stake in OpenAI, Court Hears
In a high-profile tech trial, Sam Altman reveals Elon Musk sought a controlling stake at OpenAI, while Musk’s lawyers press questions about trustworthiness.
In a high-profile tech trial focusing on OpenAI's governance, Sam Altman testified that Elon Musk sought a controlling stake in the AI lab in its early days, raising questions about who would steer the company. Altman said Musk demanded a huge stake, with reports indicating around 90 percent, a figure that underscored the power dynamics at the center of the dispute.
On Tuesday, Altman testified that Musk pushed for a substantial controlling stake, prompting pointed questions from Musk’s lawyer who asked on the stand: Are you trustworthy? The exchange highlighted the intense scrutiny of leadership and control as the proceedings entered their third week, with observers noting that neither tech titan has emerged as a sympathetic figure thus far.
The trial has centered on governance, funding, and strategic direction at OpenAI during its formative years, and the questions being asked could have lasting implications for how AI labs are managed and who ultimately holds decision-making power. As the courtroom drama unfolds in San Francisco, the case continues to draw attention from investors, policymakers, and the tech industry, all watching to see what the revelations might mean for OpenAI's future governance and the balance of influence in AI leadership.
