Elon Musk And Sam Altman Just Agreed On One Thing—And No, It’s Not A Business Deal

Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have decided to speed up their ongoing legal battle concerning OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model. The trial is set to take place in December.

What Happened: The two parties have reached a consensus to expedite the trial amidst their legal wrangling. In a court document filed on Friday, Elon Musk and OpenAI proposed to fast-track the trial for their dispute and postpone the decision on whether a jury will be involved in the case.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI, has been at odds with the company since his departure from its board in 2018.

He formally instigated the dispute last year by suing OpenAI in a California state court, claiming that the company had “betrayed” its mission by introducing a for-profit arm in 2019 and strengthening its alliance with Microsoft in 2023.

Also Read: Elon Musk Battles OpenAI Over Move To For-Profit Model — And Experts Are Pushing Back

Earlier this month, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers denied Musk’s request for an injunction on OpenAI’s restructuring, but agreed to fast-track the trial over “interrelated contract-based claims”. OpenAI, for its part, has expressed satisfaction with the decision and is eager to present its case in court.

In February, Musk also made a $97.4 billion acquisition offer for the company, which was promptly turned down by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Why It Matters: This legal dispute is a significant development in the AI industry, as it involves two major players, Elon Musk and OpenAI.

The outcome of this case could potentially influence the future direction of AI companies and their decision to transition to a for-profit model. Furthermore, the trial’s expedited timeline indicates the urgency and importance attached to this case by both parties.

The legal battle also underscores the ongoing tension between Musk and OpenAI, which could have far-reaching implications for their respective roles in the AI sector.