Elon Musk’s Landmark A.I. Lawsuit Against Sam Altman and OpenAI Heads to Trial

The high‑stakes legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, centered on the future and founding mission of OpenAI, is officially moving to trial after a federal judge rejected OpenAI’s attempt to dismiss the case.

Musk, who co‑founded OpenAI in 2015 and contributed approximately $38 million in early funding, alleges that Altman and other OpenAI leaders misled him about the organization’s intentions to remain a nonprofit entity dedicated to developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. According to Musk, the company’s evolution into a for‑profit structure—solidified through its multibillion‑dollar partnership with Microsoft—constitutes a breach of assurances made during its formative years.  During a January 2026 hearing, the assigned judge indicated that the case would be proceeding to trial, citing sufficient evidence for a jury to consider Musk’s claims. The judge emphasized that the matter turns partly on credibility and the weight of internal communications, thousands of pages of which have recently been unsealed. These include notes from OpenAI co‑founder Greg Brockman reflecting internal concerns about altering the organization’s structure without Musk’s involvement.

The trial—currently set for April 27, 2026—could carry profound implications for OpenAI’s governance, its partnership with Microsoft, and potentially the broader AI industry. With Musk seeking up to $134 billion in damages, the litigation stands to reshape both the narrative and the business model behind one of the world’s most influential AI organizations.