‘Directionally Very Bad’: Everything You Missed During Week 2 of the Elon Musk vs OpenAI Trial

Week two of the Elon Musk versus OpenAI trial delivered a firehose of embarrassing revelations for the company’s leadership. Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, was forced to read his own private diary on the stand, describing it as “very painful” and “very deeply personal writings that weren’t meant for the world to see.” The cherry-picked entries, however, painted a less-than-altruistic picture: Brockman asked himself “Financially, what will take me to $1B?” and noted “It would be nice to be making the billions.” More damaging still, he mused about cutting Musk out and converting OpenAI to a for-profit, calling it “morally bankrupt” but also predicting “a very nasty fight” — a prediction that proved accurate.

Sam Altman’s text messages to then-CTO Mira Murati during the board’s decision to fire him in November 2023 became an instant meme. When Altman asked if things were “directionally good or bad,” Murati replied “directionally very bad.” Altman, seemingly in disbelief, asked if it was about “for me to be fired? or some new thing?” Murati confirmed: “Yes for you to be gone.” Under oath, Murati added that she believed Altman had lied to her about AI safety protocols and felt he undermined her role. Meanwhile, Musk tried to strong-arm a settlement days before the trial, texting Brockman: “By the end of this week, you and Sam will be the most hated men in America. If you insist, so it will be.” The trial continues with more drama expected.