Musk considered giving OpenAI stake to his children, says Altman
During legal proceedings, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified that Elon Musk considered transferring his stake in OpenAI to his children. The statement was made in connection with Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI.
What happened?
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified on 12 May 2026 in a legal dispute, stating that co-founder Elon Musk discussed the possibility of transferring his ownership stake in the company to his children. This emerged during questioning related to Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, in which he alleges the company prioritised profit over its original mission. Altman's testimony reveals previously unknown details regarding early relationships within OpenAI's leadership.
Key facts
| Vittnesmålsdatum | 12 maj 2026 |
|---|---|
| Berörd part (vittne) | Sam Altman |
| Berörd part (anklagad) | Elon Musk |
”OpenAI's CEO recalls a 'particularly hair-raising' conversation with the SpaceX founder.”
Why it matters
The testimony provides insight into the tensions and discussions that shaped OpenAI's early years, particularly regarding ownership and control. It underscores the complexity of the relationship between non-profit principles and commercial ambitions in AI development. The event is relevant for understanding the current conflict between Musk and OpenAI, as well as the company's evolution from a non-profit research project to a commercial entity. This marks a significant point in AI history concerning governance and purpose.
Who is affected?
The testimony affects Elon Musk, who is portrayed as having considered a transaction with potential conflicts of interest. It also concerns OpenAI's leadership and board, whose past decisions are now under judicial scrutiny. Furthermore, it impacts investors and the public following the development of the AI industry and its ethical guidelines. Broader implications reach those interested in AI governance and how tech giants navigate research and commercial interests.
What else you should know
Altman described the conversation with Musk as "particularly hair-raising". The exact date of the conversation or why specifically the children were mentioned is not explicitly stated in the source, beyond that it occurred early in OpenAI's history.
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