OpenAI is currently engaged in a legal battle with Elon Musk, who is accused of employing deceptive strategies in his pursuit of control over the AI industry leader’s technology. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI alongside Sam Altman, left the company in 2018 and has made claims that it has strayed from its original mission to develop AI for the greater good of humanity. Last year, he initiated legal action against OpenAI and Altman in an effort to prevent the shift from a non-profit to a for-profit model.

In a strong rebuttal, OpenAI’s statement accused Musk of obstructive and self-serving tactics. “Elon’s relentless attempts to undermine our organization are blatant maneuvers to hinder OpenAI’s progress and appropriate its leading innovations for personal gain,” the statement declared. They further noted, “Today, we have filed a countersuit to halt these attempts.”

A timeline shared by OpenAI suggests Musk not only favored but actively sought a profit-driven structure for the company, revealing internal communications as evidence. The situation has escalated, with a California court setting a trial date for Musk’s claims in March 2026, declining to grant his request for an injunction against Altman’s corporate restructuring plans.

Lightman highlighted the broader implications, expressing that the legal dispute revolves around control and monetization rather than foundational AI principles. Meanwhile, Musk’s new company, xAI Holdings, has made headlines with its own initiatives, including acquiring social media giant X (formerly Twitter) in a major stock deal.

Ultimately, the ongoing dispute raises questions not only about the future of AI governance but also the motivations driving key figures in the tech industry.