A federal jury unanimously ruled against Elon Musk on Monday, declaring that he waited too long to file a lawsuit against
OpenAI and its CEO
Sam Altman. The verdict, delivered in less than two hours of deliberation, concludes a three-week trial that showcased the intense rivalry between the tech billionaires, which has captivated the tech industry.
Musk sought as much as
$134 billion in damages, alleging that OpenAI abandoned its original humanitarian mission in favor of profit. He claimed that Altman's leadership enriched him unlawfully and that his charitable contributions to OpenAI were meant to support a nonprofit endeavor.
The jury, however, unanimously rejected Musk's claims, citing
statute of limitations issues that barred his legal action. Additionally, they ruled against Musk's attempts to hold
Microsoft liable for allegedly aiding in the breach of duty to OpenAI. The jury's decision came after hearing testimonies from key stakeholders, including Musk himself, Altman, and Microsoft CEO
Steven Molo, Musk's attorney, indicated that they may appeal the ruling, but no decision has been made yet. Musk, who expressed frustration over the shifting focus of OpenAI, cited Microsoft's
$10 billion investment in the company as a pivotal moment that led to his legal action.
Overall, the outcome marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse on artificial intelligence, as Musk's legal battle aimed at influencing the direction of a company co-founded by him ultimately fell short.
Sources: 
A federal jury unanimously ruled against Elon Musk in a lawsuit seeking $134 billion from OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, stating Musk waited too long to file. The decision ends a dramatic legal battle concerning OpenAI's shift towards profitability after its nonprofit founding.
