Musk Demanded Full Control of OpenAI for Mars Colony Plan

Elon Musk wanted complete control of OpenAI to fund a self-sustaining city on Mars, requiring an estimated 80 billion dollars for the project, according to testimony from OpenAI president Greg Brockman in a California court. Brockman stated that Musk supported converting the company from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, but only on the condition that he would gain total authority over the organization.

Brockman detailed that Musk expressed his desire to become chairman of OpenAI if the transition to a for-profit structure occurred, with current CEO Sam Altman being the only other candidate for the role. The testimony emerged during a trial stemming from a lawsuit Musk filed against OpenAI, accusing the company of abandoning its original non-profit mission to focus on commercial returns and profit.

Control and Funding Demands

During a specific meeting, Brockman recounted, Musk demanded a controlling stake in the company based on his business management experience. Musk stated he needed this control to build a city on Mars, a project he said would require 80 billion dollars. "In the end, he wanted full control, and to be the one to decide when to give it up," Brockman quoted Musk as saying.

The tension escalated during the meeting when Musk's demands regarding the ownership structure were not met. Brockman admitted he felt concerned at one point that Musk might lose his temper further due to the intensity of the discussion.

Lawsuit and Allegations

Musk's lawsuit alleges that OpenAI's leadership, including Altman and Brockman, deceived him into investing approximately 38 million dollars in the organization when it was a non-profit, before it later transformed into a commercial enterprise. Musk, who founded the AI company xAI, is seeking damages of up to 150 billion dollars and demands that Altman and Brockman be removed from their leadership positions.

The case is drawing significant attention from the tech and investment communities, as the eventual ruling could shape the legal and operational future of OpenAI. The company triggered a global shift in generative AI after launching the ChatGPT chatbot in late 2022.

In related testimony, Brockman revealed that OpenAI plans to spend around 50 billion dollars on computing resources during 2026, part of an accelerating race to develop advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.