The legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, along with its co-founders Altman and Brockman, has officially entered the trial phase. In 2015, Musk, together with Altman and other partners, co-founded OpenAI as a non-profit organization. However, he stepped down from the board in 2018 due to disagreements over control and direction. In 2019, OpenAI transitioned into a hybrid model by establishing a for-profit subsidiary and securing significant investment from Microsoft. Fast forward to 2024, Musk initiated legal proceedings, alleging that OpenAI had violated its original founding principles.

On the eve of the trial, Musk decided to withdraw fraud-related claims, and the case will now proceed based on allegations of "breach of charitable trust" and "unjust enrichment." On April 27 (local time), the jury selection process concluded, with nine jurors from varied backgrounds being chosen. While their verdict will serve as an advisory opinion, the final judgment rests with the presiding judge.

On April 28, the trial officially commenced, and Musk took the stand, accusing OpenAI of straying from its initial non-profit mission. In response, OpenAI argued that Musk's lawsuit was motivated by his loss of control over the organization and aimed at undermining a competitor. Microsoft, for its part, emphasized its role as a responsible and committed partner.

The trial is expected to span approximately three weeks, with the possibility of appearances by prominent figures in the tech industry. This legal dispute comes at a pivotal moment, as both OpenAI and SpaceX-xAI (another venture associated with Musk) are seeking to enter the capital markets. It represents a direct clash between two competing narratives regarding the role of AI in capital accumulation. Regardless of the final verdict, the outcome is likely to shape investors' perceptions of both companies and their respective approaches to AI development.