Claim, counter-claim and tech's seedy side exposed: Five things we learned in the Musk-Altman trial

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Claim, counter-claim and tech's seedy side exposed: Five things we learned in the Musk-Altman trial12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleLily JamaliNorth America technology correspondent, Oakland, CaliforniaAFP via Getty ImagesIt is the legal showdown that has pitted two of the biggest names in tech, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, against each other. At stake is the future of one of the world's most valuable start-ups, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, along with the reputations of Altman - the company's boss - and Musk, the man he founded it with. The central claim the jury has now retired to consider is Musk's argument his former friend "stole a charity", cheating him out of a fortune (albeit a tiny one, by Musk's standards) along the way - something Altman strongly rejects.

But there's been much more to the trial than that. Over the past three weeks, myself and other reporters have been glued to our seats at the federal court in California as the evidence ranged from explosive text messages to revelations of free Teslas allegedly offered in exchange for power. It has all been presided over by a no-nonsense judge who will take the jury's decision under advisement, but ultimately decides which side prevails.

The Details

For those who have been unable to follow every twist and turn, here are five big things we learned from the court battle. It was more than Altman v MuskElon Musk's central claim in this lawsuit is that Altman lied to him about his commitment to OpenAI's non-profit status. But this trial has ended up being more than one very famous man's word against another's.

A parade of witnesses - many of them also very high-profile figures in the world of tech - took to the stand during the trial and said they had never heard of or seen evidence of any such commitment from Musk himself. Witnesses included OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, former OpenAI board member, Tasha McCauley, and even Microsoft boss Satya Nadella - who insisted his company did extensive due diligence before investing billions into OpenAI. Of course, Nadella has skin in the game.

Microsoft is a co-defendant, accused by Musk of aiding and abetting in Altman's alleged scheme. Nevertheless, it was striking that this trial has not just been about Musk against Altman - there has been a barrage of voices contradicting the claims of the world's richest man. 'I thought he was going to hit me,' OpenAI co-founder says of Musk2.

What Experts Say

Altman's character came under scrutinyReutersAltman's turn on the stand, sketched by artist Vicki BehringerBeing able to call on some high-powered support from the witness stand hasn't stopped the questions about Altman's trusthworthiness. In the weeks leading up to the trial, Altman had been the subject of a blistering New Yorker magazine profile by investigative reporter Ronan Farrow. Zoning in on his career and moments such as his dramatic ousting from OpenAI in 2023, the story portrayed Altman as a pathological liar.

Musk's lawyer Steven Molo made the most of this.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.