Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk refuted Sam Altman’s claim about not receiving a Tesla Roadster refund, stating the refund was processed within 24 hours.
- Musk accused Altman of “stealing” OpenAI’s non-profit structure and has filed multiple lawsuits against the company.
- OpenAI has denied all allegations and counter-sued Musk, claiming harassment and bad faith tactics.
Musk Counters Altman’s Refund Claims
Elon Musk has publicly denied allegations from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman regarding an unpaid Tesla Roadster refund. Altman had shared screenshots of his car order, expressing initial excitement but stating that a 7.5-year wait was too long. He claimed his email to Tesla about refunding his $50,000 deposit went unanswered.
Musk responded directly, asserting that Altman omitted a crucial part of the story. “And you forgot to mention act 4, where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours. But that is in your nature,” Musk stated, accusing Altman of dishonesty.
Deeper Conflict Over OpenAI’s Structure
The exchange quickly escalated beyond the car refund. Musk accused Altman of “stealing a non-profit,” a clear reference to OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). While OpenAI maintains its original non-profit retains significant control, Musk, an original co-founder, continues to challenge the move.
He has filed multiple lawsuits, claiming OpenAI abandoned its mission to develop AI for humanity’s benefit, becoming a “closed source, maximum-profit company” effectively controlled by Microsoft. In a separate suit, Musk’s xAI alleged that OpenAI attempted to steal trade secrets by poaching key employees.
OpenAI’s Defense and Ongoing AI Battle
OpenAI has denied all of Musk’s accusations. The company stated that shifting to a for-profit model was necessary to raise the massive capital required for advanced AI development. OpenAI has also counter-sued Musk, alleging he engaged in “bad faith tactics” and “unlawful harassment” to damage its reputation.
The legal battles underscore the intense competition in the AI space. While ChatGPT remains the globally dominant AI model, Musk is leveraging his social media platform and other ventures to boost his competing Grok AI chatbot.
