Janice R. Andrews
Elon Musk has escalated his legal fight against OpenAI and Microsoft, filing a motion on Friday to block OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit organization.
The lawsuit, submitted in a California federal court, accuses OpenAI and its partners of engaging in anticompetitive behavior, including discouraging investors from supporting rival AI companies like Musk’s xAI. Named in the suit are OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, President Greg Brockman, and Microsoft executives, alongside LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.
Musk argues that OpenAI’s shift from its nonprofit origins undermines its founding mission to prioritize humanity’s benefit. The motion alleges “anticompetitive practices, violations of its charitable purpose, and self-serving actions” in its transition to profitability.
Additionally, Musk claims OpenAI has exploited sensitive competitive information gained through its collaboration with Microsoft, harming competitors and the public.
An OpenAI spokesperson dismissed Musk’s claims as “baseless complaints” and reiterated their lack of merit.
This latest filing marks Musk’s continued efforts to oppose OpenAI’s evolving strategy. After withdrawing earlier lawsuits, this renewed action highlights the friction between his vision for AI development and OpenAI’s current direction.
As OpenAI pursues a for-profit model, the lawsuit’s outcome could significantly impact competition in the fast-growing AI sector.
