Opening arguments begin in Elon Musk and Sam Altman courtroom showdown

The trial pitting Elon Musk against Sam Altman and OpenAI began in earnest on Tuesday with opening arguments, as lawyers for the two tech moguls seek to convince a California jury of their client’s version of the AI company’s history. The trial is set to feature testimony from both billionaires, as well as some of the most powerful executives in the tech industry. Musk argues that Altman, OpenAI and its president Greg Brockman broke a foundational agreement to better humanity when the non-profit pivoted towards a for-profit structure. Musk, who left OpenAI in 2018 after co-founding it with Altman and Brockman three years earlier, also alleges that his co-founders unjustly enriched themselves as the company raised billions of dollars and grew into the AI behemoth it is today. OpenAI rejects all of Musk’s claims, stating his case is “motivated by jealousy” and characterizing him as an embittered co-founder seeking revenge after failing to take total control. OpenAI has also pointed out Musk started his own rival AI company, xAI, alleging that “this lawsuit has always been a baseless and jealous bid to derail a competitor”. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, long lines snaked outside the Oakland federal courthouse as reporters, legal teams and court watchers waited to get inside. Altman and Brockman were present at the courthouse on Monday, while Musk was nowhere to be seen. The two tech leaders passed through security around 15 minutes apart on Tuesday morning. …