The Download: Musk and Altman's legal showdown, and AI's profit problem
Elon Musk and Sam Altman are facing off in court over the future of OpenAI, with potential implications for the company's for-profit status. Musk is seeking $134 billion in damages and the removal of Altman and Brockman, claiming he was misled about the company's direction. Meanwhile, OpenAI has ended its exclusive partnership with Microsoft, allowing it to pursue other partnerships ahead of its IPO.
- ▪Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are going to trial over OpenAI's future.
- ▪Musk claims he was deceived into funding OpenAI and is seeking $134 billion in damages.
- ▪OpenAI has ended its exclusive partnership with Microsoft, allowing it to court other rivals.
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The DownloadThe Download: Musk and Altman’s legal showdown, and AI’s profit problemPlus: OpenAI has ended its exclusive partnership with Microsoft. By Thomas Macaulayarchive pageApril 28, 2026 This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology. Elon Musk and Sam Altman are going to court over OpenAI’s future Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman head to trial this week in a case with sweeping consequences. Ahead of OpenAI’s IPO, the court could rule on whether the company can exist as a for-profit enterprise. It could even oust its leadership. Musk, an OpenAI co-founder, claims he was deceived into bankrolling the firm under false pretenses.
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