Microsoft distances itself from Musk vs. Altman trial chaos

Microsoft has made it clear they want no part of the Musk v. Altman trial, a messy court battle over OpenAI’s future. The software giant, an early and major funder of OpenAI’s for-profit arm, used its opening statement as an unintentional ad for its products—listing Xbox and other offerings instead of justifying its involvement. Internal emails showed Microsoft debated whether funding OpenAI was wise, but the company was notably absent from the embarrassing text threads, diary entries, and late-night negotiations that dominate the trial. CEO Satya Nadella took the stand and described OpenAI’s 2023 board drama, where Sam Altman was briefly ousted, as ‘amateur city.’

Microsoft’s lawyers kept cross-examination minimal, repeatedly asking witnesses if anyone at Microsoft was informed or present at key events. The answer was consistently ‘no.’ The strategy positions Microsoft as a mature observer in a soap opera filled with Musk’s 12 AM texts, equity squabbles, and dramatic emails. As the trial continues, Microsoft hopes to emerge unscathed, treating the courtroom spectacle as beneath its corporate dignity. Their closing statement might as well be a PowerPoint ad.