Musk vs OpenAI: Battle Over AI Control and $852B Startup Begins in Court

Elon Musk faces French courts April 20 for X platform abuses while simultaneously battling OpenAI's Sam Altman in California federal court. The tech titan claims OpenAI deceived him about its nonprofit mission and "stolen a charity," seeking $134 billion in damages.

OpenAI counters that Musk's lawsuit is a "harassment campaign driven by ego" aimed at slowing a competitor. The case centers on control of artificial intelligence technology and whether OpenAI broke promises to remain a nonprofit serving humanity rather than a commercial entity now valued at $852 billion preparing for IPO.

Musk, whose xAI merged into SpaceX ($1.25 trillion valuation), argues co-founders Altman and Brockman should be ousted and OpenAI revert to pure nonprofit status. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide by late May whether OpenAI broke its promises or "smartly rode the technology to glory." The outcome could reshape global AI governance and affect how Nigerian tech professionals navigate the evolving AI landscape.

Will Nigeria's growing tech sector adopt similar nonprofit models or follow the commercial path as AI continues to transform industries globally?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/28/musk-faces-off-with-openai-in-court-over-broken-promises/