Ex-OpenAI staffers back Musk’s case against move to for-profit entity

A group of former OpenAI employees, who worked at the organization between 2018 and 2024, have expressed their support for Elon Musk’s lawsuit against the company’s transition to a for-profit entity. They have filed a brief with a California district court, represented by Lawrence Lessig, outlining their concerns.

The ex-staffers aim to assist Musk in his legal battle to prevent OpenAI, a nonprofit AI research project co-founded by Musk, from becoming a for-profit company. They argue that such a transformation would go against the organization’s original mission.

OpenAI, under the leadership of CEO Sam Altman, has been developing commercial products like the ChatGPT chatbot. Musk, a vocal critic, has opposed the company’s shift to a for-profit model and even made a failed attempt to acquire it for $97.4 billion earlier this year.

The brief filed by Lessig emphasizes the breach of trust that a for-profit conversion would entail for employees, donors, and other stakeholders. The ex-staffers named in the filing have a vested interest in the case due to their involvement in shaping OpenAI’s mission and structure during their tenure.

OpenAI has confirmed its commitment to remaining a nonprofit entity, with plans to convert its for-profit arm into a Public Benefit Corporation. The ongoing legal battle between Musk and OpenAI has garnered significant attention in the tech industry.