JURY DISMISSES ELON MUSK’S LAWSUIT AGAINST OPENAI AS UNTIMELY, CLEARING COMPANY AND MICROSOFT OF LIABILITY. (PHOTO).

 Jury dismisses Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI as untimely, clearing company and Microsoft of liability

A jury has rejected Elon Musk’s lawsuit accusing OpenAI of abandoning its original mission, ending a high-profile case that had drawn significant attention across the artificial intelligence industry.

The case centered on claims by Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, that the company and its leadership—CEO Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman—shifted away from its nonprofit roots to prioritize profits. Musk argued that OpenAI improperly transitioned into a commercial entity, secured billions in investment from Microsoft, and allowed its executives to benefit financially from what he described as a betrayal of the organization’s founding purpose.

After more than three weeks of proceedings, the jury did not weigh in on those allegations directly. Instead, it determined that Musk filed the lawsuit too late, concluding that he was aware of the issues outlined in his complaint as early as 2021 but did not take legal action until 2024. Because the claims fell outside the applicable statute of limitations, the case was dismissed.

The ruling means OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman are not liable for the allegations brought by Musk. Microsoft, which was also named as a defendant for its partnership with OpenAI, was similarly cleared.

The decision removes a major legal obstacle for OpenAI as it continues to expand its operations and position itself for a potential public offering. The company is also moving forward with plans for large-scale infrastructure investments, including a major data center buildout.

Musk had sought $150 billion in damages and pushed for changes to OpenAI’s leadership and corporate structure, including removing Altman from the board and reversing the company’s transition to a for-profit model.

None of the key figures involved in the case was present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered. Following the decision, OpenAI’s legal team celebrated the outcome, while one of Musk’s attorneys indicated the case would be appealed.

The lawsuit had been closely watched due to its potential to reshape the competitive landscape in artificial intelligence. A ruling in Musk’s favor could have impacted not only OpenAI but also its major partners and rivals across the industry, including other leading tech firms and emerging AI companies.