AI super PACs are becoming political forces, funding rivalries and influencing elections. Meanwhile, Congress grapples with regulating prediction markets, facing opposition from established industries. The Clarity Act, concerning stablecoins, also faces procedural and political hurdles.
The Musk v. Altman trial, focused on control of OpenAI, concluded with Musk's claims dismissed. The proceedings highlighted a pervasive lack of trust among tech leaders, raising concerns about their control over the AI industry and its impact on society.
The first phase of the Musk v. Altman trial concluded in Oakland, California, with closing arguments presented to a nine-person jury, who will begin deliberating on Monday to provide an advisory verdict on liability in Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, its CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman.
Closing arguments in the Musk v. Altman trial highlighted weaknesses in Musk's legal claims, contrasted with OpenAI's organized evidence. Gossip from the trial includes Musk's use of OpenAI to improve xAI, failed Tesla AI projects, and personal dynamics among key figures.
Yesterday, in Musk v. Altman, before the jurors came in, Sam Altman's team passed up what looked - from a distance - like a little league trophy. It was not. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had the lawyers read the inscription aloud for the press: "Never stop being a jackass." It's a commemoration OpenAI employees bought for […]
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's concerns about being overshadowed by OpenAI, as revealed in a courtroom battle, highlight the challenges of their AI partnership. Despite investments exceeding $100 billion, Microsoft faces competition from OpenAI and others, prompting a shift towards building its own AI models and alliances with rival developers.
Maybe I'm just punch-drunk in my third week attending Musk v. Altman, but I have become very, very fond of Microsoft during the course of this trial. They don't want to be here any more than I do. Their opening statement was honestly one of the most Microsoft things I've ever seen. More than anything […]
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified in the Musk v. Altman trial, denying allegations of stealing a charity and instead claiming Elon Musk abandoned OpenAI. Altman stated Musk failed to keep promises and left the startup in 2018, leading to the establishment of a for-profit subsidiary now valued over $850 billion.
Sam Altman testifies in the Musk v. Altman trial, denying accusations of stealing a charity and explaining his role in OpenAI's for-profit arm.
Elon Musk named Microsoft as a defendant in his lawsuit against OpenAI
When OpenAI was busy experimenting with AI-powered gaming bots, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman were in the early days of forming an AI partnership. Court documents from the ongoing Musk v. Altman trial have provided a rare look at the communications between Microsoft's top executives about investing in OpenAI and fears […]
The week leading up to Thanksgiving 2023 was the AI industry's biggest soap opera moment. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was abruptly ousted from his role at the ChatGPT-maker. The explanation? That Altman was "not consistently candid in his communications with the board." Now, via witness testimony and trial exhibits in Musk v. Altman, the public […]
I sat down in the Musk v. Altman trial courtroom today, painfully aware that no one was going to ask Shivon Zilis the question on everyone's minds: Girl, what the fuck are you doing? Zilis, who testified under oath that she is the mother of four of Musk's children, was… what's the best way to […]
Mira Murati, OpenAI's former CTO, has testified under oath that CEO Sam Altman lied to her about the safety standards for a new AI model. In a video deposition shown during the ongoing Musk v. Altman trial on Wednesday, Murati said Altman falsely stated that OpenAI's legal department determined a new AI model did not […]
Seven trial days into Musk v. Altman, neither side is winning. Elon Musk filibustered his way through cross-examination. OpenAI president Greg Brockman's own diary—"what will take me to $1B?"—became the prosecution's best exhibit. A $97.4 billion bid surfaced through a passed note. And Demis Hassabis, the man who never took the stand, turns out to haunt every page of evidence.
Emails submitted as evidence in the Musk v. Altman trial reveal Elon Musk privately warned his Neuralink associates that Google DeepMind was "moving very fast" and that OpenAI was "not on a path to catch up." Testimony from OpenAI president Greg Brockman further shows Musk was fixated on DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis from OpenAI's earliest days — even questioning whether founding it as a non-profit had been a strategic mistake.
Emails submitted as evidence in the Musk v. Altman trial reveal Elon Musk privately warned his Neuralink associates that Google DeepMind was "moving very fast" and that OpenAI was "not on a path to catch up." Testimony from OpenAI president Greg Brockman further shows Musk was fixated on DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis from OpenAI's earliest days — even questioning whether founding it as a non-profit had been a strategic mistake.
About a week into the Musk v. Altman trial, we've heard from some of the most powerful people in tech - including OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Elon Musk's fixer Jared Birchall, and Musk himself. But one of the most prominent characters is hovering around the margins: Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind. Hassabis is the […]
The Musk v. Altman trial is underway, and that means exhibits, or the evidence to be presented in court, are being revealed piece by piece. So far, email exchanges, photos, and corporate documents are circulating from the earliest days of OpenAI - and from before the AI lab even had a name. Some high-level takeaways: […]
Elon Musk's high-stakes lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI began this week in Oakland, California federal court. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, alleges the company breached its founding agreement by converting from a non-profit focused on benefiting humanity to a for-profit structure. He is seeking $134bn in damages and reversal of the conversion. OpenAI denies the claims, arguing Musk was aware of for-profit plans and is "motivated by jealousy" after leaving in 2018. The three-week trial features dramatic testimony, with Musk's former lieutenant Jared Birchall confirming approximately $38M in donations from 2016-2020. The outcome could impact OpenAI's planned $1tn IPO and benefit Musk's competing xAI venture.
Elon Musk's lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI continues in Oakland federal court, with Musk alleging the co-founders breached their 2015 founding agreement by transforming the AI company from a non-profit into a for-profit entity. Musk seeks $134bn in damages redirected to OpenAI's non-profit arm and removal of Altman and Brockman from the company. OpenAI denies the allegations, claiming Musk was always aware of for-profit plans and is "motivated by jealousy" after his 2018 departure following a failed takeover attempt. The three-week trial features blockbuster testimony from tech industry leaders and could impact OpenAI's planned $1tn IPO.
The Musk v. Altman trial is underway, and that means exhibits, or the evidence to be presented in court, are being revealed piece by piece. So far, email exchanges, photos, and corporate documents are circulating from the earliest days of OpenAI - and from before the AI lab even had a name. Some high-level takeaways: […]
Today the first witness was sworn in in Musk v. Altman: Elon Musk. I was surprised by how flat he seemed. This is not the first time I've seen Musk in court. During his defamation suit, he turned on the charm and the jury responded by finding him not guilty. Today he looked adrift and […]
The highly anticipated courtroom battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI began in Oakland, California, with Musk's attorney claiming defendants 'stole a charity.' Musk alleges Sam Altman and Greg Brockman diverted OpenAI from its original nonprofit mission to develop beneficial AI for humanity, instead enriching themselves through a for-profit conversion now valued at $852 billion. Musk seeks tens of billions in disgorged gains and leadership removal. OpenAI contends Musk supported the for-profit conversion and left when he didn't get control. The three-week trial will feature testimony from Musk, Altman, Brockman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
