Closing Arguments Delivered in Elon Musk Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Sam Altman

She cited testimony that the mission was larger than any particular corporate structure and that without substantial capital the effort would have collapsed. OpenAI has maintained that its nonprofit retains a $200 billion stake in the for-profit entity and continues to advance its stated goal of ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits humanity.

The organization's stated mission is to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity, yet the trial featured little discussion of how that goal would be achieved beyond funding research and safeguards. Public advocacy groups that filed amicus briefs argued that simply providing money to a foundation is insufficient because the nonprofit also holds a governance role.

One law professor who attended the closing arguments said the public interest in the nonprofit appears at risk regardless of which side prevails. Former OpenAI researchers who joined the company citing its nonprofit status filed an amicus brief opposing the shift to for-profit operations.

They argued the original structure was critical to their decision to work there and raised concerns about the company's safety culture. OpenAI has faced multiple lawsuits alleging its technology contributed to suicides, overdoses and other harms, though the company has introduced new safeguards and supported legislation to address liability questions.

Throughout the trial, evidence showed the nonprofit label was used to attract talent, gain public goodwill and secure favorable treatment from policymakers. At the same time, internal documents portrayed the structure as a roadblock to building a massive business capable of rivaling Google and others.

OpenAI's lawyers emphasized that no other AI company operates under a nonprofit umbrella and argued the organization remains a charity that is stronger than ever. " — Jill Horwitz, Northwestern University law professor (Wired) The case has drawn attention to the tension between OpenAI's original nonprofit charter and its evolution into a high-valuation company pursuing ever-larger funding rounds.

Media organizations have sued the company over copyright issues, while current and former employees have alleged its economic research unit functions as an advocacy arm. OpenAI has defended its initiatives aimed at addressing societal impacts of its models.

A former OpenAI researcher who signed the amicus brief against the restructuring said both Musk and Altman appear locked in a race to build superintelligence first and that the public should fear the outcome regardless of who prevails. The trial has left many who once supported OpenAI because of its nonprofit mission questioning whether that original vision can survive.