Former OpenAI Employees Back Elon Musk in Lawsuit Over Nonprofit Mission

A group of 12 former OpenAI employees have filed a legal brief in support of Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, highlighting growing internal concerns over the company's shift away from its original nonprofit mission. The brief, submitted Friday, claims that removing the nonprofit’s controlling oversight would “fundamentally violate” OpenAI’s founding purpose: to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, not for corporate profit.

Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but later departed, sued the organization and CEO Sam Altman last year, alleging that OpenAI strayed from its core humanitarian mission. The former employees—who held technical and leadership roles—argue that the nonprofit structure was critical not only to strategy but also for attracting talent inspired by its altruistic goals. They maintain that altering this structure compromises the integrity of the company’s work and long-term vision.

OpenAI, however, claims the structural change is necessary to attract investor funding. The company argues that while the nonprofit may lose direct control, it will retain a financial stake expected to grow in value—thereby enhancing its ability to pursue its mission.

OpenAI stated, “Our Board has been very clear: our nonprofit isn’t going anywhere and our mission will remain the same.” The company is under pressure to finalize the transition by year-end to close a $40 billion funding round. A jury trial over Musk’s lawsuit is scheduled for spring next year.

Meanwhile, Musk has launched his own AI venture, xAI, in 2023. Altman claims Musk’s legal action is aimed at stalling a major competitor in the AI space.

The clash underscores growing tension between commercial expansion and ethical governance in AI development.