Recently, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its major partner Microsoft in the U.S. federal court, seeking up to 930 billion RMB. He accused the artificial intelligence company, which was originally established as a non-profit organization, of abandoning its original mission and forming a deep partnership with Microsoft. This lawsuit is not just about money but also reflects Musk's profound thoughts on the future of the AI industry.
Musk revealed that he invested $38 million in the early stages of OpenAI and played an important role in the company's establishment. However, after he left the OpenAI board, the company quickly transformed from a non-profit organization into a for-profit entity and established close cooperation with Microsoft. Musk is angry about this transformation, believing it undermined his contributions and trust in the company.
OpenAI responded that the restructuring was aimed at achieving sustainable technological development and emphasized that the collaboration with Microsoft did not violate any laws. Microsoft, on the other hand, firmly denied any involvement in illegal activities. The key issue in this lawsuit is whether OpenAI's initial non-profit commitment had legal binding force.
As the case progresses, Musk's xAI company and Tesla are also competing in the field of artificial intelligence. Clearly, he is not just fighting for money; there are also considerations of his layout and influence in the future AI chip market. According to the schedule, the case is set to be heard in California in April 2026.
This lawsuit could not only change Musk's relationship with OpenAI but also profoundly influence the future direction of the global AI industry. In this rapidly developing technology field, the boundaries between cooperation and competition are becoming increasingly blurred, and Musk's move has sparked a new round of discussions in the industry about AI ethics and development directions.
