Sutskever Discloses $7B OpenAI Stake in Musk Trial
During the high-profile lawsuit between Elon Musk and OpenAI, co-founder Ilya Sutskever testified in federal court, revealing his stake is valued at approximately $7 billion. He defended his role in Sam Altman’s 2023 ouster, citing concerns over leadership honesty, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella criticized the board’s handling of the crisis as amateurish. The trial, held in Oakland, California, examines OpenAI’s governance and transition from nonprofit roots, highlighting significant internal power struggles and the immense financial valuation of the AI giant amidst intense legal scrutiny.
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Ilya Sutskever Discloses $7bn OpenAI Stake in Musk Litigation
Ilya Sutskever, former chief scientist and co-founder of OpenAI, disclosed under oath that his ownership stake in the company is valued at approximately $7 billion. This revelation occurred during testimony in Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, which challenges the firm's transition from a non-profit to a capped-profit structure. The disclosure positions Sutskever among the largest individual shareholders, alongside Sam Altman, though significantly below institutional investors like Microsoft. Currently leading Safe Superintelligence Inc., Sutskever testified regarding his financial ties to OpenAI amid the legal battle over corporate governance changes. The $7 billion figure implies an approximate 0.8% stake, based on OpenAI’s recent $852 billion post-money valuation. This information provides critical evidence for Musk’s legal team, who argue that the restructuring disproportionately benefited early insiders. The case is being heard in the Northern District of California, with trial proceedings scheduled for autumn. The disclosure highlights the substantial financial interests retained by the founding cohort and complicates Sutskever’s role as a witness due to his direct asset involvement.
The Next WebNadella Calls OpenAI Board 'City of Amateurs' in Musk vs. Altman Trial
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified in the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, describing the OpenAI board that fired Altman in 2023 as a 'city of amateurs.' As the third billionaire to take the stand, Nadella denied allegations that Microsoft pushed for Altman's return or exerted control over the AI firm. He presented a 2017 email from Musk praising Microsoft's support, countering claims that the tech giant violated OpenAI's original nonprofit mission. Nadella characterized the relationship as a commercial partnership involving significant financial risk and resource allocation, rather than philanthropy or corporate capture. The trial, held in federal court in Oakland, California, centers on Musk's lawsuit alleging betrayal of OpenAI's founding principles. With evidence presentation concluding soon, the case threatens to redefine governance structures in the artificial intelligence sector. Nadella emphasized that Microsoft accepted substantial opportunity costs to support OpenAI's development, securing a 27% stake in its for-profit division valued at approximately $135 billion.
ExameMicrosoft CEO Nadella Testifies in Musk v. Altman Trial
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and former OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever testified in the third week of the Elon Musk versus Sam Altman trial. Nadella characterized Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI as strictly commercial from its inception, rejecting claims that it violated nonprofit commitments. He revealed that Microsoft has recognized approximately $9.5 billion in revenue from the collaboration as of March 2025. Nadella criticized OpenAI’s 2023 board crisis as amateurish, attributing Sam Altman’s temporary removal to jealousy and poor communication rather than valid governance issues. Conversely, Sutskever testified that he raised concerns about Altman’s behavior due to fears that the startup could be destroyed, citing a strong sense of ownership. Elon Musk, who testified previously, argued that Microsoft’s massive investment shifted OpenAI away from its original nonprofit mission, accusing leadership of enriching themselves at the charity's expense. The proceedings highlight deep disagreements over OpenAI’s corporate structure, governance, and the influence of major tech investors like Microsoft on the development of artificial intelligence.
SlashdotOpenAI Stake Valued at $7 Billion, Co-Founder Reveals
Recent reports highlight a significant development regarding OpenAI, the leading artificial intelligence research laboratory. Ilya Sutskever, a prominent co-founder of the company, has disclosed that his stake in OpenAI is currently valued at approximately $7 billion. This revelation comes alongside information that Sutskever dedicated a year to compiling a comprehensive 52-page document detailing the internal dynamics and governance structures of OpenAI's board. The document reportedly sheds light on the complex relationships and decision-making processes within the organization's leadership. This news underscores the immense financial growth and valuation surge experienced by OpenAI amidst the global boom in generative AI technologies. It also points to underlying tensions or intricate governance issues within the company, which have been subjects of public speculation following recent leadership changes. The valuation figure serves as a benchmark for the wealth generated for early founders and investors in the AI sector, reflecting the market's high confidence in OpenAI's future potential despite ongoing corporate restructuring and strategic shifts.
Tech in AsiaIlya Sutskever Defends Role in Sam Altman’s Ouster During OpenAI Trial Testimony
Former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever testified in the ongoing lawsuit between Elon Musk and OpenAI, defending his pivotal role in the 2023 ouster of CEO Sam Altman. Sutskever stated he acted to prevent the company's destruction, citing concerns over Altman’s alleged deception. Now estranged from Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, Sutskever revealed he holds approximately $7 billion in OpenAI shares, making him a significant individual shareholder. His testimony supported Musk’s argument that Altman is unsuitable for leading AI development toward artificial general intelligence, particularly highlighting the disbandment of the critical superalignment team. However, Sutskever also bolstered OpenAI’s defense by confirming that transitioning to a for-profit model was a necessary consensus decision driven by the immense computational costs required for advanced AI, refuting Musk’s claims of violated nonprofit promises. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also testified, criticizing the board's handling of the ouster as amateurish. The trial, presided over by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, continues to examine the governance and financial structure of OpenAI amidst high-stakes legal battles involving key tech industry figures.
WIREDOpenAI Board Member Ilya Sutskever Avoided Internet After Firing Sam Altman
Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder and former board member of OpenAI, testified in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman regarding the chaotic events surrounding Altman's temporary removal in 2023. Sutskever revealed that after voting to oust Altman due to concerns over his leadership style and alleged dishonesty, he deliberately avoided checking the internet for the entire weekend. Consequently, he missed critical developments, including Microsoft’s offer to hire all OpenAI employees and a letter signed by 95% of staff threatening to resign if Altman was not reinstated. Upon learning of the massive internal backlash and potential company collapse, Sutskever changed his position and supported Altman’s return. He stated that he feared OpenAI would be destroyed without its CEO. Following Altman’s reinstatement, Sutskever left OpenAI and currently leads Safe Superintelligence Inc., though he retains shares in OpenAI valued at up to $7 billion. The testimony highlights the intense power struggles and communication breakdowns within OpenAI’s leadership during one of the tech industry's most significant corporate crises.
All Content from Business InsiderIlya Sutskever Reveals $7 Billion OpenAI Stake in Musk-Altman Trial
OpenAI cofounder and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever testified in federal court on May 11, 2026, confirming that he holds a stake in the artificial intelligence company valued at approximately $7 billion. This revelation occurred during the third week of the high-profile legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI, marking Sutskever as the second newly disclosed billionaire associated with the firm. His testimony followed that of OpenAI president Greg Brockman, who previously revealed a near $30 billion stake, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. The trial, taking place at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building in Oakland, California, centers on significant disputes regarding the governance and direction of the ChatGPT maker. Sutskever's financial disclosure highlights the immense valuation growth of OpenAI and underscores the substantial personal wealth accumulated by its early leaders. The proceedings continue to draw intense media and public attention due to the prominence of the involved tech giants and the broader implications for the AI industry. This specific courtroom event provides critical insight into the internal financial structures of one of the world's most valuable private technology companies amidst ongoing legal scrutiny.
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