Elon Musk vs Sam Altman heads to court in blockbuster AI showdown with billions at stake

A California federal courtroom is set to host an extraordinary legal clash this week—one that, as NBC News put it, “not even artificial intelligence could make it up.” Jury selection begins Monday in a civil trial pitting Elon Musk against Sam Altman, in a case that blends a high-stakes business dispute with a deeply personal feud.

The proceedings, expected to run for about four weeks, could shape the future of OpenAI and its flagship product, ChatGPT. A roster of prominent tech figures may be called to testify, including Satya Nadella, alongside current and former OpenAI board members.

Also Read: Stage set for Elon Musk's court battle with OpenAI


Presiding over the case, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has already described the dispute as “billionaires versus billionaires,” underscoring the scale—and spectacle—of the confrontation.

At the heart of the litigation is OpenAI’s transformation from a nonprofit research lab founded in 2015 into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. While the organisation now operates with a for-profit arm overseen by a nonprofit foundation, Musk argues this shift represents a “betrayal.” He claims Altman secured his backing under the “pretense of creating a public-spirited enterprise,” only to allow others to “cash in.”

Altman’s legal team has pushed back forcefully, accusing Musk of “rewriting history.” They contend Musk exited OpenAI “in a huff in 2018” and failed to deliver on a pledged $1 billion contribution. The defence is also expected to argue that Musk himself once supported a for-profit transition—provided it was integrated into Tesla.

The courtroom drama comes against a backdrop of increasingly public animosity. Musk has mocked his rival as “Scam Altman,” while Altman has taken jabs of his own, including calling for the return of a $45,000 deposit for a “long-delayed” Tesla sports car. Both appear to relish the impending face-off: Musk has said the evidence will “blow your mind,” while Altman quipped it would feel like “Christmas in April!” to see Musk testify under oath.

Also Read: US judge dismisses Elon Musk's fraud claims in OpenAI case at his request, plans to proceed to trial

Despite their shared prominence in Silicon Valley, the two figures present stark contrasts. Musk, significantly older, commands an estimated net worth of around $645 billion and has relocated to Texas, while Altman remains closely tied to San Francisco and its tech ecosystem.

The stakes are enormous. Musk is seeking a permanent injunction to enforce OpenAI’s original charter, as well as the removal of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman. He had initially pegged damages at $134 billion, later suggesting any recovery be directed to OpenAI’s charitable arm. OpenAI has dismissed the claims as a “legal ambush” launched on the eve of trial.

Judge Rogers has signalled a strict approach to proceedings, warning against “gamesmanship” and insisting the court will not “waste precious judicial resources.” In a symbolic move to reinforce parity, she has directed all parties—regardless of status—to enter through the courthouse’s “regular front door” for standard security checks, stating that prominence does not entitle anyone to “special privileges.”

A nine-member advisory jury will hear the case and deliver a verdict, though the final decision on liability and remedies will rest with the judge.