OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — A jury trial in the lawsuit brought by Elon Musk against OpenAI's leadership began at a federal courthouse in Oakland, California earlier this week. Musk took the stand in the case, which will be decided by the jury and the presiding judge.

Musk filed the lawsuit alleging OpenAI had strayed from its founding mission to create artificial intelligence that benefits all of humanity. He alleged he was misled by Sam Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman into contributing millions of dollars under the belief he was supporting a nonprofit. The legal feud dates back to 2024, after Musk had left OpenAI years earlier.

OpenAI has denied the allegations. The company said Musk's motive for the lawsuit is to hurt OpenAI now that he has a competitive AI lab, xAI, which he founded before filing the suit.

OpenAI's nonprofit arm controls the company, and it has a for-profit arm to raise outside capital. The company is trying to become a public benefit corporation.

From the witness stand, Musk testified about moving to North America from South Africa. He testified that he had long discussions with Google co-founder Larry Page about the future of AI, and that Page said he did not mind if AI destroyed humanity. Musk also testified that discussions with Altman led to the founding of OpenAI as a nonprofit.

Musk and Altman entered the courthouse by bypassing the front doors. Approximately one hundred people attended the trial in the courtroom, with an overflow room mostly filled with media and other members of the public. OpenAI's executives are expected to testify.

Ahead of the trial, Musk promoted a New Yorker profile on X alleging Altman had a history of being deceptive and duplicitous. Musk started his competing AI lab xAI before filing the lawsuit against OpenAI's leadership.