Elon Musk Testifies That He Started OpenAI to Prevent a ‘Terminator Outcome’

Elon Musk testified he helped found OpenAI as a nonprofit to keep AI safe and aligned with human interests, not to create a “Terminator outcome.”

He said he accepted a limited for-profit arm only to help fund the mission, but OpenAI later moved too far toward commercialization as Microsoft’s role grew.

OpenAI argued Musk was never promised permanent nonprofit status or full code openness, and that he knew about major fundraising plans years ago.

The case could reshape OpenAI’s governance and fundraising plans, including its potential IPO, and influence how courts treat nonprofit-to-profit AI transitions.