tech
January 20, 2026
Elon Musk accused of making up math to squeeze $134B from OpenAI, Microsoft
Musk’s math reduced ChatGPT inventors’ contributions to “zero,” OpenAI argued.
TL;DR
- Elon Musk is seeking $79 billion to $134 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft.
- Musk alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission and that his early contributions created its current value.
- Musk's expert, C. Paul Wazzan, calculated damages based on Musk's financial and nonmonetary contributions, and his stake in xAI.
- OpenAI and Microsoft are seeking to exclude Wazzan's opinions, calling his calculations "made up" and "unreliable."
- OpenAI claims Musk's lawsuit is a harassment campaign to benefit his rival AI firm, xAI.
- OpenAI argues it's legally impossible for individuals to hold economic interests in nonprofits and that Musk did not expect a financial return.