OpenAI counters Musk’s claims about company history

In Short:
– Greg Brockman testified that Musk inaccurately represented OpenAI’s beginnings and directed staff towards Tesla’s self-driving tech.
– He affirmed OpenAI’s status as a nonprofit and explained Musk’s polarising influence on recruitment efforts.

OpenAI President Greg Brockman concluded his testimony in the Musk v. Altman trial on Tuesday.Brockman disputed Elon Musk’s account of the AI startup’s early years and claimed Musk directed OpenAI employees to work on self-driving technology for Tesla.

Trial updates

He stated that no commitments were made to Musk regarding OpenAI’s corporate structure.

Brockman asserted that OpenAI remains a nonprofit entity.

“This entity remains a nonprofit,” he stated, “It is the best-resourced nonprofit in the world.”

Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI began its second week after he accused the company of abandoning its nonprofit mission.

The Tesla CEO claimed Brockman and CEO Sam Altman were attempting to “steal a charity.”

Brockman detailed Musk’s enlistment of OpenAI employees for months of unpaid work on Tesla’s self-driving initiatives in 2017.

He testified that Musk’s influence was a double-edged sword, appealing to some while deterring others.

Elon Musk had a reputation as a demanding figure, which drew some candidates but repelled others.

Elon Musk walked into court and testified against OpenAI.

He warned that AI could surpass human intelligence as early as next year and argued that OpenAI, originally created as a non-profit to protect humanity, has shifted into a for-profit company worth hundreds of billions. pic.twitter.com/4jJ9RORvWf

— Adams (@Adams_Tech_AI) April 30, 2026

Company dynamics

Brockman addressed queries about his financial ambitions and Musk’s influence within OpenAI.

Musk previously claimed that his investment of time and resources significantly contributed to OpenAI’s accomplishments.

Brockman confirmed that while Musk aided in recruiting talent, many viewed him as polarising.

He reiterated the complexities of Musk’s role in OpenAI’s formation in 2015, as co-founders navigated varying opinions on his leadership style.