OPENAL COUNTERSUES ELON MUSK OVER ALLEGED HARASSMENT

OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk in a California federal court, accusing the billionaire of orchestrating a campaign of harassment to undermine its operations, a legal escalation announced via a company statement on its social media platform X.

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The AI pioneer alleges Musk’s actions stem from his opposition to its shift from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, a transition critical to securing substantial funding. For researchers, investors, and tech analysts, this lawsuit marks a pivotal clash between OpenAI’s leadership and its estranged co-founder.

The filing claims Musk has leveraged his influence, including his vast X following, to spread misinformation and disrupt OpenAI’s business relationships, while also making a deceptive bid to acquire the company. OpenAI seeks a court injunction to halt these efforts and demands accountability for damages inflicted. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 before departing to launch xAI, has previously sued the company, alleging it abandoned its original mission, setting the stage for this retaliatory legal battle.

This dispute unfolds as OpenAI pursues a $40 billion fundraising round, necessitating its for-profit conversion, while Musk’s xAI gains traction with a recent $33 billion valuation tied to his X acquisition. The lawsuit underscores a high-stakes rivalry in the AI sector, with both sides vying to shape its future amid intense competition and innovation.

OPENAI ALLEGES MUSK’S DISRUPTIVE TACTICS

OpenAI accuses Musk of waging a multifaceted campaign to sabotage its progress, citing public attacks broadcast to his 200 million X followers as a primary tool, the company detailed in its court filing. These posts, often critical of OpenAI’s direction, aim to tarnish its reputation and sway investor confidence, the suit contends. The legal action seeks to prove these efforts constitute unfair competition.