OpenAI president Greg Brockman testified in federal court on Thursday that Elon Musk threatened to physically strike him during a heated exchange, revealing new details in the ongoing legal battle between the two tech figures.
According to court documents, Brockman stated that Musk ‘was going to hit me’ during a confrontation at OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters in 2018. The testimony came as part of a trial stemming from Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, where he alleges the company breached its founding agreement by prioritizing profits over safety.
Brockman described the incident as a sudden escalation during a disagreement over the direction of the artificial intelligence research organization. ‘He stood up, leaned over the table, and I genuinely feared he would strike me,’ Brockman told the court. Security personnel intervened, and Musk left the building shortly after.
Musk's legal team has dismissed the claim as a fabrication intended to damage his reputation. In a statement, Musk's attorney said, ‘This is a baseless accusation from a disgruntled former colleague. Mr. Musk has always conducted himself professionally.’
The trial, which began earlier this week in Oakland, California, has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of both parties. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left the board in 2018, citing potential conflicts of interest with his work at Tesla. He later sued the company, arguing it had deviated from its non-profit mission.
OpenAI has countered that Musk's lawsuit is an attempt to stifle competition and gain an unfair advantage in the AI industry. The company's CEO, Sam Altman, is expected to testify later in the proceedings.
Legal experts suggest that Brockman's testimony could be pivotal, as it may influence the jury's perception of Musk's character and motives. The trial is expected to last several more weeks.
