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OpenAI Executive Testifies to Allegations of Misleading Statements by CEO Altman

During a recent legal proceeding, a former OpenAI chief technology officer reportedly asserted that the company's chief executive made untruthful statements to her regarding the safety protocols of an emerging artificial intelligence model. This testimony emerged during the ongoing legal dispute between Elon Musk and Sam Altman.

5/8/2026, 2:31:41 PM

Mira Murati, who previously served as the chief technology officer for OpenAI, provided sworn testimony indicating that she had reason to distrust certain assertions made by Sam Altman, the company's chief executive. According to reports from The Verge, this revelation came during a video deposition presented on Wednesday as part of the legal battle between Elon Musk and Altman. Murati's testimony suggests that Altman incorrectly informed her that OpenAI's legal department had determined a new artificial intelligence model did not necessitate review by the company's board of directors prior to its release. This alleged misrepresentation centers on the internal processes for evaluating and deploying new AI technologies within the organization. The core of the dispute, as highlighted by Murati's account, revolves around the standard procedures for assessing the safety implications of advanced AI models. Her statements imply a divergence between what was communicated to her and what the actual internal legal assessments concluded regarding these critical safety checks. The legal proceedings, which pit prominent tech figure Elon Musk against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have brought to light internal dynamics and decision-making processes within the leading AI research firm. Murati's deposition offers a glimpse into the communication breakdowns and differing understandings of corporate governance that may have existed at the time. The ongoing trial continues to examine various aspects of OpenAI's operations and the relationships between its key figures. The implications of such testimony could extend beyond the courtroom, potentially influencing public perception and regulatory scrutiny of the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence industry. The case underscores the intricate challenges of ethical development and deployment in the AI sector. Further details from the trial are anticipated as the proceedings continue, shedding more light on the internal workings and corporate responsibilities within OpenAI.

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