Musk demands $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft

Elon Musk is seeking up to $134 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming he is owed the "wrongful gains" they earned from his early involvement with the AI company.

In a federal court filing on Friday, Musk stated OpenAI gained between $65.5 billion and $109.4 billion from his contributions as a co-founder, while Microsoft gained between $13.3 billion and $25.1 billion. His lawyer, Steven Molo, said, "Without Elon Musk, there'd be no OpenAI," citing his seed funding and guidance, as per a recent report by Reuters.

OpenAI dismissed the demand as "unserious" and part of a "harassment campaign" by Musk, who left the company in 2018 and now runs a competitor, xAI, states the Reuters report, adding that Microsoft did not immediately comment. Both companies challenged the damages claim in a separate filing, calling the financial analysis "made up" and "implausible".

Musk's lawsuit alleges OpenAI violated its original non-profit mission. A judge has ruled the case will go to a jury trial, expected to begin in April, further adds the report.