OpenAI Trial Concludes Second Week with Testimony from Former Board Members, Including Mother of Musk's Children

The high-stakes OpenAI trial between Elon Musk and Sam Altman wrapped up its second week with notable testimonies from former board members, including Siobhan Zilis, mother of four of Musk's children, and Mira Murati. The proceedings highlight internal drama and accusations of misrepresentation within the company.

Thu May 07 2026

OpenAI Trial Wraps Second Week with Key Testimonies

The high-stakes OpenAI trial, pitting tech giants Elon Musk and Sam Altman against each other, concluded its second week with significant testimonies from former board members. Among those who testified were Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, and Siobhan Zillis, a former OpenAI employee and board member. Murati described a "toxic work culture" at OpenAI during her tenure, warning that the company might "collapse" under leadership drama and turmoil. She also alleged that Sam Altman had issues with lying and misrepresenting information to employees and the public.

Siobhan Zillis' Testimony: A 'Funnel' Between Musk and OpenAI?

Siobhan Zillis, also the mother of four of Elon Musk's children, was a key witness. OpenAI's lawyers accuse Zillis of being a "funnel" for information between OpenAI's board and Musk after he left the company. They suggest Musk used this information to strategically time his lawsuit against OpenAI following its transition from a non-profit to a for-profit entity, particularly after the successful launch of ChatGPT. While Zillis stated in court that she and Musk have not had a romantic relationship for some time, her past and ongoing connections to both parties make her testimony crucial in understanding the complex dynamics and alleged motivations behind Musk's legal challenge.

Anthropic Joins the Fray, Partnering with SpaceX

Adding another layer of intrigue to the ongoing tech saga, Anthropic, a primary competitor to OpenAI, recently announced a deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX for computing resources. This move is expected to heighten tensions between Musk and OpenAI, including Altman. By providing Anthropic with critical computing power for their AI tools, Musk indirectly supports a rival in the race among leading AI frontier companies. This strategic alliance is seen as a direct challenge to OpenAI's dominance and further fuels the existing rivalry, characterized by frequent public spats between Musk and Altman.