According to PCMAG, in January 2026, Elon Musk initiated a lawsuit in a California court. He is demanding that OpenAI and its principal investor, Microsoft, return a cumulative sum exceeding $134 billion, on the grounds of 'unjust enrichment.'

Musk asserted that when he co-founded OpenAI in 2015, he made a substantial contribution of $38 million, which constituted 60% of the initial seed funding. Moreover, he played a pivotal role in talent recruitment, network establishment, and project promotion. Industry experts have estimated that OpenAI reaped profits ranging from $65.5 billion to $109.4 billion as a result, while Microsoft's gains were estimated to be between $13.3 billion and $25.1 billion.

Musk contended that he is entitled to recoup unjust gains that far surpass his original investment. In response to these allegations, OpenAI dismissed the claim as 'baseless' and an act of harassment through litigation. Meanwhile, Microsoft clarified that there is no evidence to support allegations of its 'aiding and abetting' any violations committed by OpenAI. The legal proceedings are anticipated to officially commence in April of this year.