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TechAI Desk•3 views

OpenAI Seeks Probe into Musk's Anti-Competitive Acts Before Trial

OpenAI has requested investigations by California and Delaware attorneys general into Elon Musk's alleged anti-competitive conduct ahead of their April trial. The company accuses Musk of colluding with Meta's CEO to weaken OpenAI's mission. Musk, a former co-founder, left in 2018 and later sued over OpenAI's for-profit transition. The trial begins with jury selection on April 27. OpenAI contends Musk's actions could obstruct the safe advancement of artificial general intelligence. Previously, OpenAI warned that Musk might disseminate unfounded claims during litigation.

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OpenAI Seeks Probe into Musk's Anti-Competitive Acts Before Trial

OpenAI has formally asked California and Delaware attorneys general to investigate alleged anti-competitive behavior by Elon Musk and his allies, as a pivotal trial between them looms.

Background of the Dispute

  • Elon Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit but exited in 2018 after proposing a merger with Tesla.
  • He later launched xAI and sued OpenAI in 2024, asserting he was deceived amid the company's shift toward a for-profit structure.
  • Jury selection for the trial is set to start on April 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

OpenAI's Allegations

In a Monday letter, OpenAI's strategy chief Jason Kwon claimed Musk is coordinating with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to undermine OpenAI. Kwon argued this threatens the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) for humanity's benefit.

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Key allegations include:

  • Musk's collaboration with competitors to destabilize OpenAI.
  • Efforts to transfer AGI control from mission-driven entities to those neglecting safety.
  • Characterization of attacks as attempts to hijack AGI's future.

Prior Investor Warnings

OpenAI previously alerted investors that Musk would likely make "deliberately outlandish, attention-grabbing claims" during the trial, labeling them as harassment tactics divorced from reality.

— CNBC's Lora Kolodny contributed to this report.

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