Opening arguments are set to begin Tuesday at an Oakland courthouse in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, a case centered on the company’s shift from its original nonprofit mission.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with CEO Sam Altman, argues the company violated its original agreement to operate as a nonprofit focused on developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of society and keeping it open source.
OpenAI has said Musk agreed years ago that the company would need to transition to a for-profit model in order to raise capital.
A nine-person jury was seated Monday as an advisory panel to help a federal judge in Oakland determine liability. If the judge finds OpenAI liable, she will decide damages.
It’s Elon Musk against Sam Altman in a dispute over Open AI. Scott Budman reports.
During jury selection, prospective jurors were asked whether they could set aside any negative feelings toward Musk or Altman.
Outside the courthouse Monday, a small group of protesters voiced criticism of the tech industry.
“Two of the CEOs are here fighting with each other rather than doing anything about the problems they’re creating in the world,” one protester said. “So everyone loses here.”
An attorney representing OpenAI said the company looks forward to presenting its case and having the facts heard.
NBC Bay Area has reached out to attorneys representing Musk but has not received a response.
The judge expects the trial to last about three weeks before going to the advisory jury for deliberations.