Elon Musk Claims Deception in OpenAI Trial, Warns of AI Threats in First Week

2026-05-01 · MIT Tech Review AI · Original

The first week of the high-profile trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI saw Musk donning a sleek black suit as he took to the stand, claiming that OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman misled him into funding the organization. During his testimony, Musk expressed grave concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, suggesting it could pose an existential threat to humanity. He also revealed that his company, xAI, draws upon the foundational models developed by OpenAI, intensifying the ongoing debate over competition and ethics in the AI landscape. As the trial progresses, the implications for AI development and corporate transparency remain critical talking points.