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MURATI: ALTMAN LIED ABOUT AI SAFETY STANDARDS

DEV DESK1 MIN READ
WED, MAY 6, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

OpenAI's former CTO Mira Murati testified under oath that CEO Sam Altman misrepresented safety protocols for a new AI model. In a video deposition shown during the Musk v. Altman trial, Murati said Altman falsely claimed the legal department had approved bypassing the company's deployment safety board.

Murati, who left OpenAI last year, provided testimony that directly contradicts Altman's statements regarding AI model deployment procedures. According to her deposition, Altman told her that OpenAI's legal team determined a new model did not require safety board review—a claim Murati indicated was false. The testimony emerged during cross-examination in the ongoing lawsuit filed by Elon Musk against Altman and OpenAI. The case centers on allegations that the company abandoned its nonprofit mission and safety commitments after securing Microsoft funding. Murati's credibility as a witness carries significant weight, given her former role overseeing technical operations at OpenAI. Her sworn statement suggests potential misrepresentation of internal safety protocols at the company, raising questions about governance and decision-making under Altman's leadership. The trial continues to examine OpenAI's internal practices and whether leadership prioritized commercial interests over safety standards.

■ SOURCES

The VergeThe Verge

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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