OpenAI's Altman Claims Musk Demanded 90% Stake, Denies Abandoning Non-Profit Mission
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rebutted Elon Musk's accusations in court that he abandoned ChatGPT's public mission, stating that Musk coveted control and had demanded a 90% stake to profit from it. This lawsuit could determine the future of OpenAI and its leadership.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 12:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 13:01 (31 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 13:29 (27 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Auckland, May 12, Comprehensive Foreign Report) – OpenAI CEO Sam Altman today rebutted Elon Musk's accusations in court that he abandoned ChatGPT service's public mission, stating that Musk coveted control, had demanded a 90% stake, and sought to profit from it.
According to reports from Reuters and AFP, Musk filed a lawsuit in August 2024, accusing Altman and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman of improperly using his $38 million donation, which was intended for research for OpenAI. However, this non-profit organization allegedly abandoned its mission and restructured into a for-profit company.
This lawsuit is now in its third week, and its outcome could determine the future of OpenAI and the retention of its leadership. OpenAI is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO), with the company's valuation potentially reaching $1 trillion (approximately NT$31.4 trillion).
During cross-examination in a federal court in Oakland, California, Altman denied that he and Brockman tried to 'steal a charity.'
Musk testified, saying, 'If the people in charge of AI are not trustworthy, I think this is a very great danger to the entire world.'
Musk is demanding approximately $150 billion (approximately NT$4.71 trillion) in compensation from OpenAI and its main investor Microsoft, with this amount to be paid to OpenAI's non-profit organization. Musk also demanded the removal of Altman and Brockman from their positions.
Musk's lawsuit demands OpenAI revert to non-profit status, a move that would affect its AI competition with Anthropic, Google, and China's DeepSeek.
OpenAI was founded in 2015 by multiple individuals, including Musk and Altman, and established a for-profit entity in March 2019.
OpenAI has been trying to prove that Musk knew the company would transition to for-profit before he left the board in 2018, but he was intent on gaining control of the company. The current lawsuit is allegedly due to his regret over missing out on potentially huge wealth.
When asked if Musk opposed OpenAI's transition to a for-profit company, Altman said, 'Quite the opposite.'
Altman recalled that Musk had demanded a 90% stake in OpenAI, 'which later decreased, but he always demanded a majority.'
Altman also stated that while he and other OpenAI leaders wanted to maintain good relations with Musk, he rejected the offer to merge with Musk's electric vehicle company, Tesla.
Musk's lawyers attempted to portray Altman as a liar. During cross-examination, Musk's lawyer Steven Molo questioned Altman's integrity.
Altman was suddenly removed from OpenAI's board in November 2023 due to lack of transparency, then reinstated five days later amidst company backlash. He has always found it difficult to shake off a reputation for dishonesty in Silicon Valley.
Prosecutors from 10 US states have requested Altman to disclose potential conflicts of interest before OpenAI's IPO next year. Media learned that in a letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Altman was accused of 'a history of self-dealing and serious conflicts of interest, posing a significant risk to the company.'
In this case, Musk has portrayed himself as a defender of the public against the dangers of AI. However, OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor testified today that OpenAI received a formal acquisition offer led by Musk's xAI consortium in February 2025, six months after Musk filed the lawsuit.
'I was surprised,' Taylor said. 'This proposal was for a group of for-profit investors to acquire the non-profit organization, which felt contradictory to the spirit of this lawsuit.'
Other witnesses who testified included Brockman and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis, who is also the mother of four of Musk's children.
The advisory jury is expected to rule on any actual wrongdoing next week. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will make a final ruling on liability and remedies after considering the jury's opinion. Rogers has stated that she may adopt the jury's recommendations. (Editing: Qu Xiang-ping) 1150513
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According to reports from Reuters and AFP, Musk filed a lawsuit in August 2024, accusing Altman and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman of improperly using his $38 million donation, which was intended for research for OpenAI. However, this non-profit organization allegedly abandoned its mission and restructured into a for-profit company.
This lawsuit is now in its third week, and its outcome could determine the future of OpenAI and the retention of its leadership. OpenAI is preparing for its initial public offering (IPO), with the company's valuation potentially reaching $1 trillion (approximately NT$31.4 trillion).
During cross-examination in a federal court in Oakland, California, Altman denied that he and Brockman tried to 'steal a charity.'
Musk testified, saying, 'If the people in charge of AI are not trustworthy, I think this is a very great danger to the entire world.'
Musk is demanding approximately $150 billion (approximately NT$4.71 trillion) in compensation from OpenAI and its main investor Microsoft, with this amount to be paid to OpenAI's non-profit organization. Musk also demanded the removal of Altman and Brockman from their positions.
Musk's lawsuit demands OpenAI revert to non-profit status, a move that would affect its AI competition with Anthropic, Google, and China's DeepSeek.
OpenAI was founded in 2015 by multiple individuals, including Musk and Altman, and established a for-profit entity in March 2019.
OpenAI has been trying to prove that Musk knew the company would transition to for-profit before he left the board in 2018, but he was intent on gaining control of the company. The current lawsuit is allegedly due to his regret over missing out on potentially huge wealth.
When asked if Musk opposed OpenAI's transition to a for-profit company, Altman said, 'Quite the opposite.'
Altman recalled that Musk had demanded a 90% stake in OpenAI, 'which later decreased, but he always demanded a majority.'
Altman also stated that while he and other OpenAI leaders wanted to maintain good relations with Musk, he rejected the offer to merge with Musk's electric vehicle company, Tesla.
Musk's lawyers attempted to portray Altman as a liar. During cross-examination, Musk's lawyer Steven Molo questioned Altman's integrity.
Altman was suddenly removed from OpenAI's board in November 2023 due to lack of transparency, then reinstated five days later amidst company backlash. He has always found it difficult to shake off a reputation for dishonesty in Silicon Valley.
Prosecutors from 10 US states have requested Altman to disclose potential conflicts of interest before OpenAI's IPO next year. Media learned that in a letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Altman was accused of 'a history of self-dealing and serious conflicts of interest, posing a significant risk to the company.'
In this case, Musk has portrayed himself as a defender of the public against the dangers of AI. However, OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor testified today that OpenAI received a formal acquisition offer led by Musk's xAI consortium in February 2025, six months after Musk filed the lawsuit.
'I was surprised,' Taylor said. 'This proposal was for a group of for-profit investors to acquire the non-profit organization, which felt contradictory to the spirit of this lawsuit.'
Other witnesses who testified included Brockman and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis, who is also the mother of four of Musk's children.
The advisory jury is expected to rule on any actual wrongdoing next week. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will make a final ruling on liability and remedies after considering the jury's opinion. Rogers has stated that she may adopt the jury's recommendations. (Editing: Qu Xiang-ping) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's 'Firsthand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.