Musk vs. Altman Heads to Court: A $134 Billion Battle Over AI's Soul Begins in Oakland

One of the most consequential legal battles in Silicon Valley history kicked off Monday as jury selection began in Musk v. Altman at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Oakland. The case is presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers , with opening arguments expected Tuesday.

At the heart of the dispute is Musk's allegation that Altman duped him when OpenAI transformed from a nonprofit into a for-profit juggernaut. Musk claims OpenAI, Altman, and company president Greg Brockman reneged on a vow to keep the AI lab a nonprofit in perpetuity. Musk's confirmed contribution to OpenAI stands at just $38 million , far below his earlier public claims of $100 million.

Of the original 26 claims Musk asserted, only four remain : unjust enrichment, fraud, constructive fraud, and breach of charitable trust. The judge called a jury pool three times larger than typical for a civil case, reflecting the immense difficulty of finding impartial jurors given both men's celebrity status. Nine jurors will be seated with no alternates.

The trial is scheduled to run four weeks , with witnesses expected to include Musk, Altman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella , and current and former OpenAI board members. The jury is expected to begin deliberations by May 12 .

Musk's legal team is seeking $65.5 billion to $109.43 billion from OpenAI, and $13.3 billion to $25.06 billion from Microsoft, alongside the removal of Altman and Brockman. If OpenAI is found liable, a remedies phase is scheduled for May 18.

OpenAI has dismissed the suit as motivated by "jealousy, regret, and a desire to derail a competitor." Tensions reached an alarming peak when an AI-averse individual threw a Molotov cocktail at Altman's San Francisco home , casting a dark shadow over proceedings.

Notably, the jury's role here is advisory , Judge Gonzalez Rogers will make the final liability decision herself, making this trial as much about judicial history as legal drama.