Elon Musk says OpenAI was his idea, before executives looted it
businesstimes.com.sg Apr 29, 2026

Elon Musk says OpenAI was his idea, before executives looted it

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Elon Musk testified in a high-stakes trial against OpenAI, claiming he founded the company as a charity to benefit humanity, not for personal gain. Musk stated he came up with the idea, recruited key people, and provided initial funding, but executives allegedly betrayed him by transforming it into a profit-seeking business. Musk's lawsuit aims to defend charitable giving and prevent the "looting" of nonprofits.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · Musk's lawsuit challenges the blurred lines between charitable and for-profit endeavors in the tech industry.
  • · His testimony highlights the tension between using AI for public benefit and exploiting it for personal gain.