Jury Hears OpenAI Failed Its Nonprofit Mission as Former CTO Testifies
SAN FRANCISCO — A jury heard testimony this week that OpenAI failed to uphold its nonprofit mission, as former CTO Mira Murati provided sworn statements about CEO Sam Altman, according to NBC Bay Area and Futurism.
Murati testified under oath in proceedings examining the company’s governance and planned conversion to a for-profit entity. She departed OpenAI in September 2024 after serving as its chief technology officer.
The trial centers on allegations that OpenAI has strayed from its original charter as a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. The company, founded in 2015 as a nonprofit research lab, has faced scrutiny over its corporate restructuring efforts that would convert it into a fully for-profit company.
Murati provided what Futurism described as “very interesting” admissions about Altman while testifying under oath. The content of her testimony regarding Altman’s conduct and decision-making is expected to factor into the jury’s assessment of whether OpenAI’s leadership has honored the organization’s stated mission.
The case carries implications for OpenAI’s planned corporate conversion, which has drawn opposition from multiple parties including co-founder Elon Musk, who has filed his own legal challenges. A finding that OpenAI has not upheld its nonprofit obligations could complicate the restructuring.
OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco and valued at more than $300 billion, has argued that its transition to a for-profit structure is necessary to raise the capital required to pursue its mission of developing safe artificial general intelligence.
Neither OpenAI nor representatives for Murati immediately responded to requests for comment on the testimony.
