A federal judge has scheduled billionaire Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI for a jury trial in spring 2026, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
The case, which centers on Musk’s allegations that OpenAI abandoned its original nonprofit mission in favor of profit, will be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who is presiding over the case, rejected Musk’s bid to halt OpenAI’s transition to a for-profit model but agreed to an expedited trial timeline, as both parties had requested.
Musk, who co-founded OpenAI with Altman in 2015 but departed the company early on, filed the lawsuit last year. He claims the company has strayed from its founding goal of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, accusing Altman and OpenAI of prioritizing corporate gain.
OpenAI and Altman have denied the claims, asserting that the for-profit structure is essential to attract the capital required to remain competitive in the rapidly advancing AI industry. Altman has argued that Musk, who launched his own AI firm, xAI, in 2023, is simply trying to undercut a rival.
xAI recently acquired Musk’s social media platform X, in a deal valuing it at $33 billion. The merger allows co-investors in X to share in the value of Musk’s AI startup, further intensifying the rivalry with OpenAI.
In a dramatic turn earlier this year, Altman reportedly rejected a $97.4 billion unsolicited takeover offer led by Musk, responding with a terse “no thank you.”
As OpenAI seeks new funding to support its growth, the outcome of the 2026 trial could have long-term implications for the company’s future and the broader debate over the commercialization of artificial intelligence.
