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MUSK V. ALTMAN TRIAL ENTERS FINAL PHASE

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
TUE, MAY 19, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 5 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

A California jury is preparing to decide the high-stakes dispute between Elon Musk and Sam Altman over OpenAI, the AI startup they cofounded together over a decade ago. Musk alleges Altman and OpenAI president Greg Brockman deceived him during the company's formation and funding.

Both sides delivered closing arguments as the courtroom battle neared its conclusion. The jury will cast votes on key questions, with a judge making the final determination. Musk's lawsuit centers on claims that Altman and Brockman misled him about OpenAI's direction and structure. The two men, once collaborators, are now engaged in what observers describe as a bitter feud playing out in full public view. The case represents one of 2024's most significant tech industry legal showdowns, with implications for how AI startup governance and founder disputes are handled. The outcome could affect not only the parties involved but also precedent for similar disputes in the sector. Meanwhile, OpenAI has continued product development, recently bringing its Codex coding application to mobile platforms, allowing developers to manage projects remotely.

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