MUSK ONCE CONSIDERED ALTMAN FOR TESLA BOARD

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

THU, MAY 7, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 2 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

Elon Musk considered recruiting Sam Altman to Tesla's board of directors, according to testimony Wednesday at trial over their ongoing feud. The revelation emerged during proceedings between the two AI industry figures.

Jurors heard Wednesday that Musk had weighed offering Altman a seat on Tesla's board at some point in the past. The disclosure came during testimony in the trial examining the conflict between the two technology executives. Altman currently leads OpenAI, while Musk co-founded the company before departing its board in 2018. The two have clashed publicly on various matters, including AI safety and business direction. The trial centers on disputes stemming from their professional relationship and diverging paths in the artificial intelligence sector. Details about when Musk considered the board offer or why it never materialized remain unclear from the testimony presented. This detail adds context to the relationship between Musk and Altman, suggesting earlier consideration for closer alignment before tensions escalated between them.

■ SOURCES

► Bloomberg Tech ► Bloomberg Tech

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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MUSK ONCE CONSIDERED ALTMAN FOR TESLA BOARD

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