Musk-Altman Trial Reveals Microsoft’s $13B OpenAI Bet Amid Fraud Allegations

Microsoft President Satya Nadella testified in the ongoing Elon Musk-Sam Altman trial, revealing the tech giant's $13 billion investment in OpenAI since 2019. Nadella framed the partnership as a strategic business decision, stating Microsoft was "excited to work with OpenAI when no one else was willing."

Musk alleges Altman and Greg Brockman deceived him into funding a nonprofit that later pivoted to a for-profit model, with Microsoft allegedly facilitating the shift. The plaintiffs seek to transfer up to $180 billion from OpenAI's commercial arm back to its nonprofit parent.

The trial highlights Silicon Valley's high-stakes AI wars, with Nadella detailing Microsoft's escalating investments: $1 billion in cloud credits (2019), a 2021 follow-up, and a $10 billion injection last year. Musk previously criticized these deals, suggesting undisclosed control dynamics.