OpenAI accusations will lead to a trial for Elon Musk, as per the ruling of the judge
In a series of legal actions that began in 2024, Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX and Tesla, finds himself embroiled in a complex legal battle with OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory he co-founded in 2015 with the goal of developing AI for the benefit of humanity.
The roots of the dispute can be traced back to 2018 when Musk left OpenAI due to differences over its direction and leadership. Since then, Musk has faced a court case over accusations of a "years-long harassment campaign" against OpenAI, with the case implicating Apple's collaboration with OpenAI and having significant implications for Musk's AI venture xAI and his broader involvement with Microsoft through ventures like X and Neuralink.
Timeline and Key Legal Actions
The legal battle between Musk and OpenAI escalated on February 29, 2024, when Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing OpenAI of shifting its focus from public benefit to profit maximization. This was an early sign of Musk's legal opposition to OpenAI’s corporate direction.
OpenAI countersued Musk on April 9, 2025, accusing him of "bad-faith tactics" designed to hinder OpenAI’s progress and to appropriate its innovations for his personal gain. The countersuit also referenced Musk’s earlier support for a for-profit OpenAI and his desire to control it.
On August 25, 2025, Musk's AI company xAI, along with his social media platform X, filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against Apple and OpenAI. The suit alleges an anticompetitive collusion between Apple and OpenAI designed to monopolize AI technology distribution and stifle competition, especially impacting xAI’s AI products like the chatbot Grok and Musk’s related ventures.
Allegations
Musk’s lawsuit contends that Apple and OpenAI formed a monopolistic partnership by integrating OpenAI’s AI technologies into Apple devices (e.g., iPhones, iPads, Macs) and prioritizing OpenAI’s chatbot in the Apple App Store. This effectively blocks competitors like xAI from gaining market access and valuable user data needed to improve AI products.
Apple reportedly favored OpenAI’s chatbot and deprioritized apps from competitors in rankings, further reinforcing this monopoly. xAI’s lawsuit frames this as a deliberate effort to marginalize Musk’s AI initiatives and protect Apple’s smartphone dominance by leveraging OpenAI’s AI offerings.
OpenAI publicly described Musk’s legal actions as consistent with a pattern of harassment and denied the allegations.
Implications for Musk’s AI Ventures and Microsoft Relations
The dispute directly impacts Musk’s AI company xAI, which competes in the generative AI space dominated by OpenAI. By alleging market-cornering tactics, Musk is defending his ability to deploy xAI’s technology, including Grok, to large user bases.
Musk’s social media platform X is also involved in these claims, highlighting how the control and dissemination of AI-powered tools intersect with his broader digital ecosystem.
While Microsoft is a major investor in OpenAI, no direct lawsuit involvement of Microsoft has been reported. However, Musk’s competitive and legal battles with OpenAI indirectly affect the AI landscape where Microsoft operates as a key partner and investor in OpenAI’s technologies.
These legal confrontations amplify tensions originating from Musk's departure from OpenAI in 2018 after a power struggle and his continued efforts to challenge OpenAI's dominance and strategic partnerships.
The court has rejected Elon Musk’s attempt to dismiss the accusations, and the next jury trial has been scheduled in 2026. The feud between Musk and Altman, which began in February 2024, continues to unfold, with Musk referring to Altman as "Scam Altman" and accusing him of lying. The outcome of this legal battle could shape the future of AI technology and the competitive landscape in the industry.
- Elon Musk, while embroiled in a legal battle with OpenAI, claims that the alleged anticompetitive collusion between OpenAI and Apple in the field of technology poses significant implications for his AI venture xAI, particularly the chatbot Grok, and his broader involvement with Microsoft through ventures like X and Neuralink.
- The dispute between Musk and OpenAI, primarily focusing on the development and commercialization of AI technology, has a wider impact on Musk's business interests, as the decisions made in this case could shape the future of AI technology and the competitive landscape in the industry, including Musk's ventures like xAI and his relationship with Microsoft.
