Elon Musk, the world's richest person, took the stand Tuesday in a pivotal trial over the future of OpenAI, accusing its leadership of betraying the company's original charitable mission. Musk is suing OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman, and President Greg Brockman, alleging they abandoned the nonprofit's goal of developing AI for humanity's benefit.

"If we make it OK to loot a charity, the entire foundation of charitable giving in America will be destroyed," Musk testified. He claimed he worked 80-100 hour weeks and never took vacations to serve the public, contrasting his dedication with OpenAI's alleged profit-seeking.

OpenAI's lawyer Bill Savitt countered that Musk himself pushed for profit, wanting "the keys to the kingdom" and launching his own AI company, xAI, after failing to gain control. "What he cares about is Elon Musk being on top," Savitt said.

Musk's lawyer Steven Molo argued the defendants were greedy, especially after Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI in 2023. Musk seeks $150 billion in damages, to be directed to OpenAI's charitable arm, and demands OpenAI revert to a nonprofit with Altman and Brockman removed.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers warned Musk about his social media posts calling Altman "Scam Altman," urging him to control his online activity. Both Musk and Altman agreed to limit their social media use during the trial.

The trial could expose the inner workings of OpenAI's transformation from a nonprofit lab to a $850 billion company, potentially complicating its IPO plans and heightening public concerns about AI technology.

Source: www.aljazeera.com