Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testifies in Musk-OpenAI trial:
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testifies in Musk-OpenAI trial:
Publish Date: 2026-05-11 13:30:00
Source Domain: www.nbcnews.com
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified in a lawsuit over the control of the artificial intelligence startup OpenAI, making him the third tech billionaire to do so in recent weeks.
- The lawsuit primarily revolves around Elon Musk’s claims that OpenAI has deviated from its original mission as a nonprofit research center.
- Musk alleges that Altman and Brockman are enriching themselves at the expense of what he believed should have remained a non-profit entity.
- According to Altman and Brockman, OpenAI is still controlled by a nonprofit foundation, despite possessing a for-profit arm with outside investors, and they claim Musk is now harassing them as competitors through the lawsuit after he started his own AI company, xAI.
- Microsoft is a co-defendant in the case due to its partnership with OpenAI, and Musk claims that Microsoft contributed to undermining the nonprofit mission.
- Nadella testified that despite the deepened partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, the startup maintained its independence and resources.
- Microsoft has invested billions in the for-profit arm of OpenAI and provides cloud services, while having rights to share in the profits and an exclusive license to commercialize one of its models.
- Musk sued in 2024, asserting that his past donations to OpenAI entitle him to a say in ensuring it remains a non-profit research center.
- Closing statements to the jury are scheduled for Thursday, following evidence presentation.