The legal fight between Elon Musk and OpenAI has reached a new level. On Wednesday, OpenAI filed a countersuit against Musk, accusing him of trying to damage the organization’s work and take control of the future of artificial intelligence. The trial is set to begin in March 2026 in a California federal court.
AI Lawsuit Intensifies Between OpenAI and Musk
OpenAI claims that Musk used “dishonest and harmful” actions to block its progress. According to the suit, Musk has tried to weaken the company’s structure and delay its projects. His goal, OpenAI says, is to control the direction of AI development for personal and business reasons.
The countersuit responds to an earlier lawsuit Musk filed against OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman. That lawsuit accused Altman of changing the company’s structure in a way that betrayed its founding mission. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but stepped down from the board in 2018.
OpenAI wrote in its legal statement:
“Elon’s continuous interference shows a clear effort to obstruct and control AI’s future for his own benefit. We are taking legal action to protect the independence and mission of our work.”
Judge Denies Musk’s Request to Block OpenAI’s Growth
District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that the case will move forward. The court refused Musk’s request to stop OpenAI from continuing its shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit structure. The judge also confirmed that Elon Musk is expected to testify during the trial.
This decision marks a setback for Musk, who has claimed that OpenAI betrayed its original goal of building AI for the benefit of everyone. His legal team argues that OpenAI’s profit-focused path breaks the promise made to the public when it was founded.
Experts: The Fight Is About Power, Not Principles
AI expert Professor Ari Lightman from Carnegie Mellon University weighed in on the case.
“This is about control and money,” Lightman said. “Musk wants to influence where AI goes, but these lawsuits distract from the big picture—making sure AI is safe and fair for all.”
Lightman warns that legal battles like this one take attention away from real AI risks, such as ethical use, bias, and global safety standards. He says that companies fighting over power instead of focusing on public trust is a worrying trend.
Musk’s xAI and the $100 Billion Empire
Elon Musk’s new company, xAI, directly competes with OpenAI. Though still catching up in terms of research and output, xAI recently made headlines by acquiring Musk’s own social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The new parent company, XAI Holdings, is now estimated to be worth over $100 billion.
Back in February, Musk made an offer to buy OpenAI for $97.4 billion. CEO Sam Altman declined the offer. In a humorous reply, Altman said he would consider buying Twitter for $9.74 billion instead.
OpenAI Claims Musk Spread Misinformation
OpenAI also accuses Musk of spreading false claims on social media platforms. The company says Musk’s posts were misleading and aimed at damaging its reputation.
The filing adds that Musk’s actions show he was never fully committed to OpenAI’s original mission. Instead, he is accused of always having his own business goals in mind.
What’s at Stake for AI’s Future?
The lawsuit touches on a growing issue in the world of artificial intelligence—who controls it. As AI becomes more powerful, decisions about its direction carry huge risks and rewards. Many experts believe AI will shape the economy, labor market, and even political systems in the years ahead.
This case will test not only legal claims but also the balance between public good and private gain in high-tech innovation.
