According to a latest court document, Elon Musk took the initiative to contact OpenAI President Greg Brockman two days before the high-stakes trial began in Oakland Federal Court to test whether the other party was willing to reach a settlement. According to the court document filed Sunday, when Brockman suggested that the parties mutually drop their claims, Musk allegedly responded:
“By the end of the week, you and Sam (Altman) are going to be two of the most hated people in America. As in If you insist on refusing to settle, just wait and see.” Musk, his attorney, and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This conversation has become the latest conflict flashpoint in this lawsuit. The trial of the case itself has shown a fierce confrontation in the court.
Musk testified in court on Thursday that he only read the core points of the term sheet related to OpenAI's transformation from a non-profit to a for-profit organization in 2017 and did not read the detailed bylaws.
Musk sued OpenAI, accusing its transformation into a profit-making model of abandoning its original intention of developing safe artificial intelligence technology for public welfare; he also accused company executives of using his charitable donations to improperly profit.
Musk demanded a reshuffle of OpenAI’s leadership and claimed $150 billion from OpenAI and one of its largest investors, Microsoft.
This case is being heard by Federal District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. The trial started on April 28 and is expected to last several weeks. The ruling may be released in mid-May.
Altman, Brockman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are expected to testify later this month.