OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) \u2014 Technology tycoons Elon Musk and Sam Altman are poised to face off in a high-stakes trial revolving around the alleged betrayal, deceit and unbridled ambition that blurred the bickering billionaires\u2019 once-shared vision for the development of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n
The trial, which started Monday with jury selection, centers on the 2015 birth of ChatGPT maker OpenAI as a nonprofit startup primarily funded by Musk before evolving into a capitalistic venture<\/a> now valued at $852 billion.<\/p>\n The trial\u2019s outcome could sway the balance of power in AI \u2014 breakthrough technology that is increasingly being feared as a potential job killer and an existential threat to humanity\u2019s survival.<\/p>\n Those perceived risks are among the reasons that Musk, the world\u2019s richest person, cites for filing an August 2024 lawsuit<\/a> that will now be decided by a jury and U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.<\/p>\n The civil lawsuit accuses Altman, OpenAI\u2019s CEO, and his top lieutenant, Greg Brockman, of double-crossing Musk by straying from the San Francisco company\u2019s founding mission to be an altruistic steward of a revolutionary technology. The lawsuit alleges they shifted into a moneymaking mode behind his back.<\/p>\n OpenAI has brushed off Musk\u2019s allegations as an unfounded case of sour grapes that\u2019s aimed at undercutting its rapid growth and bolstering Musk\u2019s own xAI, which he launched in 2023 as a competitor.<\/p>\n Gonzalez Rogers questioned potential jurors Monday about their views on Musk, Altman and artificial intelligence and whether they\u2019d be able to treat the parties fairly. Some jurors said they had negative views of Musk, but most said they would still be able to treat him fairly and focus on the facts of the case. <\/p>\n Trial promises clashing testimony from two tech titans<\/p>\n Musk, who invested about $38 million in OpenAI from December 2015 through May 2017, initially was seeking more than $100 billion in damages.<\/p>\n But any damages now are likely to be much smaller after a series of pre-trial rulings that went against Musk. Musk has since abandoned a bid for damages for himself and instead is seeking an unspecified amount of money to be paid to fund the altruistic efforts of OpenAI\u2019s charitable arm. The money would be paid primarily by OpenAI\u2019s for-profit operations, and Microsoft, which became the company\u2019s biggest investor after Musk cut off his funding.<\/p>\n Musk\u2019s lawsuit also seeks Altman\u2019s ouster from OpenAI\u2019s board. Musk\u2019s decision to stop funding the company contributed to a bitter falling out between the former allies. Musk says he was responding to deceptive conduct that OpenAI\u2019s board picked up on when it fired Altman<\/a> as CEO in 2023 before he got his job back<\/a> days later. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n Sign up for Morning Wire: But the trial also carries risks for Musk, who last month was held liable by another jury for defrauding investors<\/a> during his $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022. Any damaging details about Musk and his business tactics could be particularly hurtful now because his rocket ship maker, SpaceX, plans to go public<\/a> this summer in an initial public offering that could make him the world\u2019s first trillionaire.<\/p>\n However it turns out, the trial is expected to provide riveting theater, with contrasting testimony from two of technology\u2019s most influential and polarizing figures in the 54-year-old Musk and the 41-year-old Altman.<\/p>\n
\n Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n <\/p>\n