Elon Musk launched a scathing attack on OpenAI during a legal deposition, claiming his AI model Grok hasn't caused psychological harm while implying ChatGPT has. The Tesla founder made these explosive comments as part of his lawsuit accusing OpenAI of betraying its founding principles. Musk's statements have ignited fresh debate about AI safety and corporate responsibility in the rapidly evolving industry.
The legal battle between tech billionaire Elon Musk and OpenAI has reached new levels of public confrontation following Musk's blistering attack during an official court deposition. The Tesla and SpaceX founder delivered incendiary testimony as part of his lawsuit against the AI company he helped establish, accusing OpenAI of abandoning its founding principles. Musk specifically targeted ChatGPT, criticizing its alleged negative impact on users, while praising his own company's Grok AI model developed by xAI. This deposition marks a significant escalation in a conflict that has been brewing since Musk's departure from OpenAI's board in 2018.
During the recently recorded deposition session, Musk used strikingly direct language to attack OpenAI, stating: "Nobody committed suicide because of Grok." This provocative statement served as a direct comparison between his company's AI model and OpenAI's ChatGPT. Musk elaborated that his claim reflects what he considers a safer, more responsible approach to artificial intelligence development at xAI compared to OpenAI's trajectory. The billionaire entrepreneur suggested that different philosophical approaches to AI safety have led to fundamentally different products with varying societal impacts.
This deposition forms part of the lawsuit Musk filed in February 2026, where he accuses OpenAI and its leadership—including CEO Sam Altman—of betraying the company's founding agreement. Musk alleges that OpenAI transformed from a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing safe, open AI for humanity into a profit-seeking company operating secretly under Microsoft's influence. His comments about AI models' psychological impact on users constitute part of his legal arguments regarding potential risks associated with OpenAI's products. The lawsuit represents one of the highest-profile legal challenges in AI industry history.
Musk's deposition statements have generated polarized reactions within the technology and AI community. Some observers view these comments as part of a marketing strategy to promote Grok, particularly given the intense competition in the large language model market. Meanwhile, AI ethics experts note that the case raises crucial questions about developers' social responsibility and their technologies' psychological impact on users. The timing coincides with increased regulatory scrutiny of AI systems worldwide.
The discussion about language models' mental health impact has gained momentum in academic and regulatory circles. Multiple regulatory bodies globally are developing guidelines to ensure AI safety and consider psychological aspects in human-AI interactions. Musk's testimony has thrust this issue into unprecedented legal and media spotlight. Industry analysts suggest this case could accelerate existing trends toward greater transparency and accountability in AI development, potentially influencing upcoming legislation in both the United States and European Union.
Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in February 2026, accusing the company and its leadership of betraying their founding agreement. He claims OpenAI abandoned its original mission as a nonprofit organization developing safe, open AI for humanity, transforming instead into a profit-driven company operating secretly under Microsoft's influence. The lawsuit seeks to enforce OpenAI's original charter and potentially restructure the company.
Grok is a large language model developed by xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company. According to Musk's description, the model features a more conservative and safety-oriented approach to handling sensitive queries while attempting to minimize potential risks to users. Grok launched as a direct competitor to models like ChatGPT and emphasizes real-time knowledge integration from the X platform (formerly Twitter).
This remains a complex and controversial issue. While some studies and reports discuss the potential psychological impact of language models, establishing direct causal relationships between ChatGPT use and specific suicide cases proves challenging and requires thorough investigation. Musk's statement reflects existing concerns within the tech community that demand further scientific research. Mental health professionals emphasize that AI interactions represent just one factor in complex psychological landscapes.
This case could lead to several significant developments:
OpenAI has described Musk's lawsuit as baseless, reaffirming its commitment to developing beneficial artificial intelligence. The company maintains that its transition to a capped-profit structure was necessary to fund ambitious AI research while maintaining safety standards. OpenAI has also highlighted its extensive safety testing protocols and ethical guidelines, though specific responses to Musk's psychological impact claims remain limited in public statements.
Elon Musk's deposition represents more than just legal maneuvering—it highlights fundamental tensions in today's AI industry between rapid innovation and responsible development. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, questions about psychological impact, corporate accountability, and ethical boundaries will only intensify. This case may establish important precedents for how AI companies balance commercial interests with societal responsibilities. Regardless of the legal outcome, Musk's provocative statements have already succeeded in amplifying crucial conversations about AI safety that will shape the industry's trajectory for years to come.
Source: TechCrunch AI | Analysis & Editorial: AI Tools Oasis
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