Elon Musk Demands $134 Billion in Compensation from OpenAI and Microsoft

Staff Report: PNN

Elon Musk has filed a massive compensation claim against the artificial intelligence company OpenAI and technology giant Microsoft. He alleges that OpenAI, which started with a non-profit objective, later deviated from that mission and financially defrauded him. Based on this claim, Musk is seeking compensation ranging from a minimum of approximately $79 billion to a maximum of $134 billion.

The amount of compensation has been calculated based on the evaluation of financial analyst and expert witness C. Paul Wazaan. This economist, who has extensive experience in complex commercial cases, has previously testified in several high-value lawsuits. According to his analysis, Musk’s initial investment of nearly $38 million in 2015, combined with the value of his technical and strategic contributions, forms the basis for calculating the current compensation claim.

The expert report indicates that if OpenAI’s current market value is considered to be approximately $500 billion, Musk could claim a significant share of the company. According to the calculation, the alleged unjust profits from OpenAI could range between $65 billion and $109 billion. Meanwhile, for Microsoft, which reportedly owns around 27 percent of OpenAI, the amount could be roughly between $13 billion and $25 billion.

Musk’s lawyers argue that as an early investor, he has the right to returns far exceeding his initial investment. However, the sheer scale of the compensation demand has raised questions about the purpose of this lawsuit.

Analysts point out that considering Musk’s personal wealth, the economic significance of this compensation is relatively limited. Reports indicate that his total current assets are around $700 billion, far exceeding those of most other wealthy individuals worldwide. Recently, Tesla shareholders also approved the largest-ever compensation package in history for him.

In this context, OpenAI authorities are viewing the lawsuit more as a pressure tactic than a purely financial dispute. The organization has already warned its investors and business partners that if the legal proceedings intensify, Musk’s exaggerated and attention-grabbing claims could escalate further.

The high-profile case between OpenAI and Elon Musk is scheduled for hearing in April in Oakland, California, USA. The technology world is closely watching the outcome of this case, which could influence the future business and regulatory direction of the artificial intelligence sector.