Brockman Defends $30B OpenAI Stake in Court Testimony
OpenAI cofounder and president Greg Brockman stated in federal court on Monday that he holds one of the largest individual equity stakes in the AI company, valued at over $20 billion and potentially reaching $30 billion.
Two days before the Musk v. Altman trial started, Elon Musk messaged Brockman about settling the case. Brockman proposed dropping all claims from both sides. Musk replied that by week's end, Brockman and Sam Altman would become the most hated men in America, adding if they insisted, so be it. OpenAI lawyers released the message publicly on Sunday. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers then ruled against letting the jury hear it. The exchange points to Musk's aims in the trial. He seems to seek juror support to oust Brockman and CEO Altman, while also tarnishing their reputations and OpenAI's image.
Questioning on Compensation and Early Promises
As Brockman testified Monday, Musk's lawyer Steven Molo began by probing his pay at OpenAI. Brockman disclosed his current equity value exceeds $20 billion, maybe $30 billion. He admitted planning a $100,000 donation to OpenAI at its start but never making it.
Brockman cofounded OpenAI in 2015. He took key roles there from the beginning. The company launched from his San Francisco Mission District apartment. Now he helps steer focus to products like Codex. Over the last year, he donated millions to super PACs backing AI and President Trump. He linked this spending to OpenAI's goal of building artificial general intelligence for humanity's benefit.
Molo argued Brockman and Altman raided OpenAI's original nonprofit, which Musk helped fund and form. Early on, OpenAI stressed its nonprofit goals over profits to investors and staff. Brockman said his finances always rank below that mission.
For-Profit Shift and Wealth Defense
OpenAI formed its for-profit subsidiary in 2019, transferring assets from the nonprofit. Brockman received a major stake in it. Early records show him noting in a journal his path to $1 billion financially.
Molo questioned Brockman's amassed fortune past that target for minutes. He asked why Brockman did not give $29 billion to the OpenAI nonprofit. Brockman replied that he and team members invested blood, sweat, and tears building OpenAI since Musk's exit.
OpenAI's foundation owns over $150 billion in company shares, Brockman noted, among history's wealthiest nonprofits. That equals about five times his own share. Employees together hold 25 percent of shares. The foundation has 27 percent. Brockman said the nonprofit got under $150 million from donors total. This suggests Musk played a minor role in success, with credit to those who stayed and developed OpenAI.
Brockman's stake might exceed $30 billion if OpenAI goes public soon. He confirmed the company considers an IPO.
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Moral Claims and Personal Ties
Brockman said OpenAI's nonprofit roots provided moral high ground against rivals like Google DeepMind. Molo repeatedly asked if skipping the $100,000 donation then gaining nearly $30 billion made Brockman morally bankrupt. Brockman rejected that view.
Molo inquired about Brockman's loyalty to Altman. Case emails showed Brockman's initial OpenAI pay as a $10 million stake in Altman's family office. Brockman said they told Musk in 2017 after his inquiry, though Musk did not know right away.
Brockman revealed investments in OpenAI partners Cerebras, CoreWeave, and Helion Energy. Altman's similar investments drew much review. Brockman's links got less notice until Monday.
During Musk lawyers' questions, Brockman gave precise answers. He attended all trial days so far. Altman watched from the public area, head down, appearing upset. Brockman's wife Anna held his hand entering court, then sat behind Altman, handling a KN95 mask. Brockman grew lively in cross-examination, smiling while sharing his account and early OpenAI days.
Musk's Departure and Next Steps
Brockman recounted Musk threatening a rival AI lab at Tesla after quitting OpenAI's board. On Tesla going nonprofit or open-sourcing tech, Brockman said no.
Musk's team gets another shot at Brockman Tuesday. Musk ally Shivon Zilis may testify after.
OpenAI started as a nonprofit in 2015, backed initially by Musk among others, to pursue safe AGI. Tensions grew, leading to Musk's 2018 board exit. His suit claims OpenAI strayed from open, nonprofit ideals by creating the capped-profit arm and chasing billions in funding.