Altman Testifies Musk Wanted OpenAI to Pass to His Children
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified that Elon Musk once suggested OpenAI's for-profit should pass to his children if he died, raising concerns about control. Altman described Musk's management as damaging to research culture, including demanding a 'chainsaw' layoff of researchers. The testimony is part of Musk's lawsuit challenging OpenAI's shift from nonprofit to for-profit. Altman defended the nonprofit's $200 billion foundation, while Musk's lawyers argued safety commitments were abandoned. Altman said Musk's safety plans worried him in 2017. Musk left OpenAI's board and started xAI.
Key facts
- Altman testified Musk suggested OpenAI pass to his children if he died.
- Musk's lawsuit challenges OpenAI's corporate structure.
- Altman called Musk's safety plans 'hair-raising'.
- Musk demanded a 'chainsaw' layoff of researchers.
- OpenAI's foundation has $200 billion in assets.
- Musk left OpenAI's board and started xAI.
- Altman kept in touch with Musk after his departure.
- A 2018 Microsoft investment meeting was described as 'good vibes'.
Entities
Institutions
- OpenAI
- Y Combinator
- Tesla
- xAI
- Microsoft