According to Reuters on April 7, OpenAI formally wrote to the attorneys general of California and Delaware on Monday, urging government authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into Elon Musk's "improper and anti-competitive behavior" and his affiliated parties.

Key Accusations: A $10 Billion Claim Aimed at "Paralyzing" the Company

In the letter addressed to Attorneys General Rob Bonta and Kathy Jennings, OpenAI outlined the potential threats posed by Musk's lawsuit:

  • Deadly Claim: Musk is demanding that his non-profit foundation compensate more than $10 billion in the lawsuit. OpenAI clearly stated that this astronomical amount is essentially intended to paralyze the organization.

  • Obstructing Progress: Jason Wang, Chief Strategy Officer of OpenAI, pointed out that Musk's series of legal actions may disrupt the company's established efforts to ensure General Artificial Intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity.

  • Misleading Investigations: The letter directly stated that Musk's submitted documents misled the relevant offices, preventing them from conducting a thorough and objective investigation into OpenAI's capital restructuring plan.

The History of the Conflict: From "Founding Companions" to "Going to Court"

The split between Musk and OpenAI has become one of the most famous cases in the tech industry:

  • From Friends to Foes: Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but left in 2018. In 2024, he officially filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, accusing them of deviating from their original mission by restructuring as a for-profit entity.

  • Business Secrets: OpenAI disclosed in court documents that Musk had tried to lure Zuckerberg into joining his consortium's takeover offer last year, attempting to forcibly acquire the company, but was rejected.

  • Direct Competition: After leaving, Musk founded the competitor xAI and launched the chatbot Grok.

Key Developments: Jury Trial Begins This Month

The legal balance is now entering a critical phase:

  • Judge's Ruling: A judge in Oakland, California, ruled in January this year that the case will be tried by a jury.

  • Countdown to Trial: The trial is expected to begin in April this month.

Industry Perspective: Power Struggle Over AGI Ownership

The essence of this lawsuit goes beyond personal grievances; it is a final competition over who can define and control the path of AGI. Musk is trying to reassert his interpretation of "open source and non-profit" through legal means, while OpenAI is calling for government intervention to reveal Musk's intention to engage in unfair market competition through legal litigation.

Conclusion: A Watershed Battle in Tech History

When top AI companies and the most influential tech giants openly clash in court, the outcome of this "billion-dollar" lawsuit will profoundly shape the regulatory boundaries and business landscape of the artificial intelligence field in the next decade.