OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of using repeated legal and public actions to undermine the company and attempt to take control of its innovations. In a statement posted on X, OpenAI said, “Elon’s nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit.”
The new lawsuit claims that Musk’s behavior—including a recently proposed takeover—is intended to harm OpenAI’s progress. The filing describes the $97.4 billion offer made earlier this year as a “sham bid” and part of a broader effort to derail the company’s direction. OpenAI’s board had unanimously rejected the offer, citing concerns about Musk’s intentions and the integrity of the proposal.
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, originally sued the company last spring, demanding it return to its nonprofit roots and prioritize the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI) for public benefit. He withdrew that lawsuit in June but refiled a similar one in August. In response, OpenAI published a blog post in December titled “Elon Musk wanted an OpenAI for-profit,” providing evidence that Musk once supported a profit-oriented structure for the company.
Now, OpenAI’s legal team is seeking a court order to stop Musk from continuing what they describe as unfair and unlawful interference. The company also wants Musk to be held accountable for damages his actions have allegedly caused.
The ongoing legal conflict is expected to come to a head during a trial set for spring 2026. Until then, tensions between Musk and the organization he helped create continue to escalate. OpenAI insists its focus remains on advancing AI responsibly, while Musk argues the company has strayed from its original mission.
