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A long-simmering feud is set to erupt in federal court as the Elon Musk and Sam Altman OpenAI trial begins Monday in Northern California, pitting two tech titans against each other in a case that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence.

The legal clash between Elon Musk and Sam Altman—once allies, now rivals—centers on allegations that the AI company abandoned its founding mission in pursuit of profit.

Lawsuit Challenges OpenAI’s Transformation

In a sweeping lawsuit seeking up to $134 billion in damages, Musk claims that OpenAI, along with Altman and president Greg Brockman, broke a promise to remain a nonprofit organization.

Since its founding in 2015, OpenAI has evolved into a hybrid structure, maintaining nonprofit oversight while operating a for-profit arm now valued at more than $850 billion.

Musk argues that shift betrays the original vision—like a compass suddenly pointing toward profit instead of public good.

From Founding Partners to Fierce Rivals

Musk and Altman were among the original group of technologists who launched OpenAI, united by concerns over AI’s power and its potential risks to humanity.

Their relationship fractured in 2018 when Musk left the board following disagreements over the company’s direction, including a failed attempt to merge OpenAI with Tesla.

Since then, Musk has launched his own AI venture, xAI, and recently merged it with SpaceX in a deal valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion, as he prepares for a potential record-breaking IPO.

Trial Begins in Oakland Federal Court

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday at a federal courthouse in Oakland, near San Francisco, where OpenAI is headquartered.

The case will be overseen by Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who has presided over major tech disputes, including the high-profile case between Epic Games and Apple.

Nine jurors will be seated, with no alternates. The trial will unfold in two phases: first determining liability, then addressing remedies if wrongdoing is found.

What Musk Wants From the Court

If successful, Musk is not seeking personal financial gain. Instead, he has asked the court to return what he describes as “ill-gotten gains” to OpenAI’s nonprofit arm.

He is also pushing to remove Altman and Brockman from leadership roles and to reverse the company’s for-profit restructuring.

Legal Claims Narrow as Trial Approaches

Of the 26 claims initially filed in 2024, only four remain: unjust enrichment, fraud, constructive fraud, and breach of charitable trust.

Musk’s legal team is seeking to drop two of those claims—fraud and constructive fraud—before trial in an effort to streamline proceedings.

Meanwhile, OpenAI has dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, calling it a campaign driven by rivalry and competition.