War Between Two Global Tech Titans Heats Up, Stakes Reach Rp 2,300 Trillion
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The long-running battle between two global technology figures, Elon Musk and Sam Altman, has entered a new chapter. The pair are embroiled in a dispute over OpenAI, which they co-founded.
The two, along with several others, established OpenAI in 2015. Three years later, Musk decided to leave due to his failure to merge OpenAI with Tesla and disagreements over the company’s direction.
When founded, OpenAI was a non-profit AI laboratory that later transitioned to a for-profit model. It is this issue that Musk has raised, taking it to court.
Musk accuses Altman and Greg Brockman, the company’s president, of breaking promises to keep the AI giant as a non-profit entity. He has filed a lawsuit worth US$134 billion (Rp 2,300 trillion) in the Northern District of California court, as reported by CNBC International on Monday (27/4/2026).
If successful, Musk wants the conversion of OpenAI to a for-profit company cancelled. Additionally, the ‘ill-gotten gains’ should be returned to the non-profit OpenAI organisation, not to him personally.
Finally, Altman and Brockman should be removed from their respective positions.
Musk has previously sued OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman over the same matter in 2024. He claims he was deceived by the company’s promises to pursue a safer and more open path compared to profit-driven firms.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has commented on the ongoing issue with Musk in a document to potential investors earlier this year. The company has repeatedly rejected the SpaceX boss’s lawsuit.
According to OpenAI, Musk’s lawsuit is baseless. It also describes his actions as driven by ego, jealousy, and a desire to slow down a competitor.
The OpenAI dispute is one of the battles between Musk and Altman, who once had a very close relationship. The two have been known to engage in fierce fights over the past few years.
For instance, Musk founded xAI in 2023. The AI-focused company has become a rival to OpenAI.
Musk and Altman are also frequently seen exchanging verbal barbs, attacking each other on X, Musk’s social media platform.