Recently, billionaire Elon Musk filed a lawsuit seeking up to $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming his early support laid the foundation for today’s AI boom 🌟.
In a court filing on January 16, 2026, Musk argued that:
- OpenAI earned an estimated $65.5–109.4 billion from 2015 onward thanks to his seed funding and reputation boost.
- Microsoft netted $13.3–25.1 billion through its partnership with OpenAI.
Musk’s lead lawyer said, “Without Elon Musk, there’d be no OpenAI. He provided the bulk of the seed funding, lent his reputation and taught them all he knows about scaling a business.” 📈
OpenAI dismissed the demand as “unserious,” calling it part of a “harassment campaign.” Microsoft has yet to comment.
This legal battle heats up ahead of a jury trial expected in April 2026 in Oakland, California. If Musk wins, he could claim not only the alleged “wrongful gains” but also punitive damages or injunctions.
Musk, who left OpenAI in 2018 to launch xAI (known for its Grok chatbot), says OpenAI strayed from its non-profit roots when it restructured into a capped-profit model.
Analyst takeaway: For the tech world and startups in South Asia and Southeast Asia, this case is a reminder that seed funding isn’t just cash—it’s also credibility and connections. Whether you’re hustling in Bangalore, Jakarta, or Manila, building trust with early backers can be as valuable as the money itself 💡.
Stay tuned as this high-stakes showdown unfolds—your next big idea might depend on understanding how AI deals shape the ecosystem!
Reference(s):
A $134-billion-dollar question: Is OpenAI nothing without Elon Musk?
cgtn.com
