OpenAI has asked regulators in California and Delaware to look into what it calls potentially anti-competitive actions by Elon Musk. In a formal communication sent earlier this week, the company claimed that Musk and his associates have been attempting to disrupt its operations via coordinated efforts. The development comes just weeks before jury selection is set to begin in a closely watched case that can change AI and governance in the US.
In the letter, OpenAI’s strategy head, Jason Kwon, claimed that Musk’s actions are intended to weaken the company’s position in the AI space. The filing also mentioned possible collaboration with Mark Zuckerberg. The dispute dates back to OpenAI’s inception in 2015, when Musk and CEO Sam Altman co-founded it as a non-profit research organisation. Musk left the company in 2018 and later founded rival firm xAI. In 2024, he filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of abandoning its founding principles as it transitioned to a for-profit model.
OpenAI also argues that the alleged actions could slow down its efforts to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI), a concept referring to AI systems capable of matching or exceeding human intelligence. The company maintains that its work is guided by a mission to ensure such technology benefits society at large.
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The letter also refers to previous warnings issued by OpenAI to its investors, in which it predicted Musk would make provocative or misleading public statements as legal proceedings approached. Furthermore, recent reports cited by the company suggest that individuals linked to Musk may have conducted extensive background research on Altman, including monitoring travel patterns and disseminating unverified claims.
OpenAI’s global affairs chief, Chris Lehane, questioned the motivation behind the move. The company also stated that Musk’s favourable legal outcomes could benefit xAI’s Grok platform, which has received criticism in some regions for safety concerns.
The trial is scheduled to begin later this month, and the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the rapidly growing AI sector.