Closing arguments concluded Thursday in Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman, with a nine-person jury now set to decide whether the AI firm unjustly enriched itself at Musk's expense.
The high-profile trial in Oakland federal court has reached its final stage after weeks of testimony. Jurors will determine whether OpenAI and Altman are liable on charges that they bilked the world's richest person and misappropriated his contributions to the company.
Musk filed the lawsuit alleging that OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015, breached its original nonprofit mission by shifting to a for-profit model and prioritizing commercial gains over its stated commitment to beneficial artificial intelligence. The case centers on whether Altman and the company leveraged Musk's involvement and resources unfairly.
The trial began last month in the Northern District of California, drawing attention from the tech industry as it examines the governance and direction of one of AI's most prominent organizations. The nine-person jury composition was finalized through jury selection procedures earlier in the trial.
Both parties presented their cases over the trial's duration, with closing arguments laying out the core claims and defenses. Musk's legal team argued the firm violated its founding principles, while OpenAI's defense focused on the legitimacy of its business transition and Altman's leadership decisions.
The jury's deliberation timeline remains unclear. Jurors will weigh evidence and testimony to reach a verdict on the central allegations. A decision could reshape discussions around AI governance, nonprofit-to-profit transitions, and the responsibilities of AI company leadership.
The case represents one of the most significant legal battles involving major AI figures and underscores ongoing tensions within the artificial intelligence sector over commercialization and mission alignment.
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