OpenAI Co‑Founder Says Musk Threatened Violence Over 2017 Control Bid

Context OpenAI began in 2015 as a non‑profit research lab focused on safe artificial intelligence. To attract large‑scale investment, the founders later created a for‑profit arm while keeping the original non‑profit entity. Musk, an early co‑founder and funder, left the board in 2018 but has since sued OpenAI, alleging the shift to a for‑profit model betrays the original mission. The current trial in Oakland federal court examines those claims. Musk contributed tens of millions of dollars in the early years, helping OpenAI cover compute costs and talent hires. His departure followed disagreements over the organization’s safety priorities and commercial ambitions. Since then, he has founded xAI, which aims to build a rival chatbot and has raised its own funding round.

Key Facts Brockman told jurors that during a heated 2017 meeting, after he declined Musk’s request for greater influence, Musk’s demeanor changed abruptly and Brockman thought Musk was going to hit him. He quoted Musk as saying he would stop funding OpenAI if Brockman did not concede more control. Brockman noted that Musk had been financing the project since its inception. He also confirmed he is named as a defendant in Musk’s lawsuit that seeks to reverse OpenAI’s decision to prioritize its for‑profit subsidiary.

What It Means The testimony highlights the personal and financial tensions that have accompanied OpenAI’s rapid growth, especially after the release of ChatGPT, which pushed the company’s valuation into the billions. It shows how early disagreements over governance can evolve into legal battles that shape the company’s future direction. Observers will watch whether the court’s ruling affects OpenAI’s ability to raise capital and maintain its dual‑structure model, and how Musk’s competing AI venture, xAI, responds to any outcome.