'I thought he was going to hit me' OpenAI co-founder says of Musk

OpenAI president and co-founder Greg Brockman testified in a federal court in Oakland, California, describing a tense 2017 meeting with Elon Musk. Brockman recounted how Musk’s demeanor shifted abruptly when Brockman rejected Musk’s proposal to gain greater control over OpenAI, with Brockman saying, “I actually thought he was going to hit me.” The meeting ended soon after, with Musk announcing he would withhold funding from OpenAI, a company he had helped establish in 2015. This testimony is part of a broader month-long trial involving Musk’s lawsuit seeking to reverse OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity. The dispute highlights longstanding tensions between Musk and OpenAI’s leadership, including CEO Sam Altman and Brockman, over the company’s strategic direction. Musk, an initial co-founder, left OpenAI amid disagreements as the company evolved into a highly valuable tech enterprise following the launch of ChatGPT. Brockman’s testimony included references to Musk’s earlier efforts to increase his influence within OpenAI, including attempts to sway Brockman and fellow co-founder Ilya Sutskever with incentives such as a Tesla Model 3. Text messages presented in court revealed these negotiations and underscored Musk’s awareness of OpenAI’s shift toward a for-profit model designed to attract significant investor funding. Additional testimony touched on personal connections involving Musk, including his relationship with Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member and mother of four of Musk’s children. Brockman stated that Zilis informed him about having twins via IVF with Musk, describing the relationship as “entirely platonic.” Zilis remained involved with OpenAI for years after Musk’s departure, with Brockman noting the company trusted her to manage any potential conflicts related to Musk. Her exit from the board in March 2023 coincided with Musk’s launch of xAI, a rival AI company developing a chatbot to compete directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The trial underscores the complex interplay of personal, financial, and strategic factors shaping the AI industry’s rapid evolution. Musk’s lawsuit and OpenAI’s defense reflect broader debates about governance, control, and the future direction of artificial intelligence development amid fierce competition.