Musk mulled handing OpenAI to his children, Altman testifies
techcrunch.com May 12, 2026

Musk mulled handing OpenAI to his children, Altman testifies

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified in court against his former cofounder Elon Musk's lawsuit challenging the company's corporate structure. Altman defended OpenAI's for-profit subsidiary, stating it was created to market products based on the company's AI models, and disputed Musk's claim that the company's founders "stole a charity." Altman also described a pivotal moment when Musk suggested that OpenAI should pass to his children if he died, raising concerns about Musk's control over the company. Altman further testified that Musk's management tactics were ineffective for a research lab and damaged the company's culture.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Musk's alleged desire to control OpenAI's for-profit subsidiary raises questions about his commitment to the company's safety and non-profit goals.
  • · The testimony highlights the tension between Musk's management style and the needs of a research lab, potentially shedding light on the motivations behind his departure from OpenAI's board.