Jury selection begins in Elon Musk's high-stakes OpenAI lawsuit
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Jury selection has commenced in the legal dispute between Elon Musk and OpenAI, where Musk accuses his co-founders of betraying a non-profit mission to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity, rather than for financial gain. This trial, taking place across the bay from San Francisco, pits Musk, the world's richest person, against a startup he once supported and now competes with in the AI sector. OpenAI's ChatGPT is a significant competitor to Grok, the chatbot developed by Musk's xAI lab. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives described the situation as a "tech soap opera" that investors will closely monitor, noting the personal nature of the feud between Musk and OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman. The lawsuit highlights a broader debate about whether AI should serve a select few or society as a whole. Court filings indicate that Altman convinced Musk to back OpenAI in 2015 as a co-founder for a non-profit lab, with its technology intended to "belong to the world." Musk invested millions into the lab before his departure. OpenAI later established a commercial subsidiary to secure the substantial funding required for data centers to power its technology. Microsoft has invested billions in OpenAI, and its CEO, Satya Nadella, is expected to testify. Musk argues he was misled about OpenAI's altruistic mission. OpenAI, based in San Francisco, has countered in court filings that its separation from Musk was due to his desire for absolute control, not its non-profit status. O
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Experts in Nigeria's real estate sector have raised concerns that the ongoing Iran-US crisis is leading to increased construction costs and project delays. These issues stem from the impact on imported materials, directly affecting costs for operators in the prime market. During a webinar organized by the International Real Estate Federation-Nigeria and Fortren & Company, Mr. Gbenga Olaniyan, Chairman of Estate Links Limited, noted that the period from 2022 to 2025 has seen unexpected price fluctuations. He attributed recent price increases to panic following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to longer negotiation periods for buyers and a shift towards joint ventures to share risks. Mr. Olaniyan emphasized that much of the current situation is driven by panic among end-users rather than actual cost increases. Ogunniran Hakeem, Chief Executive Officer of Eximia Realty & Co, suggested that current issues are a snowball effect from the COVID-19 pandemic's global supply chain disruptions, further exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war, which impacted critical material sourcing like steel. He warned that continued Middle East disruptions could reduce diaspora remittances, a significant funding source for many African countries. FIABCI Nigeria President, Mr. Akin Opatola, stated the forum aimed to help real estate professionals respond strategically to global market changes. World President of FIABCI, Mrs. Lily Chang, highlighted that geopolitical uncertainty makes invest
Must ReadNigeria faces a critical juncture regarding its participation in the global artificial intelligence landscape. While many Nigerians are beginning to understand AI's implications, key decisions about its future may already be made. The article emphasizes that Nigeria, its technology companies, AI startups, universities, researchers, and policymakers must actively engage in the global debate on building, controlling, governing, and benefiting from AI. The World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, which featured extensive discussions on AI governance, industrial applications, and talent recruitment, serves as an example of the global momentum. Nigeria has previously been slow to adopt new technologies, such as the personal computer and internet revolutions, but has also demonstrated its capacity for innovation. The current challenge is to convert this entrepreneurial energy into leadership in AI. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, under Dr. Bosun Tijani, has initiated steps, including unveiling a National AI Trust and participating in the AI for Good Global Commission. However, the article stresses that a national sense of urgency is required, extending beyond this ministry to include the Ministry of Education and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, to develop a coordinated strategy encompassing education, research, industry, infrastructure, regulation, and investment. It questions whether Nigeria is preparing its
Must ReadOando Energy Resources, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, plans to generate electricity from abandoned oil wells through a pilot geothermal-style power project. This initiative aims to expand Nigeria鈥檚 clean energy capacity and support the country鈥檚 gas-to-power agenda. The company disclosed this during a visit by its management to the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe. Dr. Ainojie Irune, Managing Director of Oando Energy Resources, stated that the pilot project would repurpose abandoned oil wells across the Oando Joint Venture to produce geothermal-style electricity. He described this as an innovative, homegrown solution to transform Nigeria鈥檚 energy sector and improve electricity access. The project is part of Oando鈥檚 clean energy strategy, executed through Oando Clean Energy, which explores combining gas, solar, wind, and hydro resources for reliable and affordable electricity in Africa. Oando鈥檚 operations already support power generation through the 480-megawatt Okpai Independent Power Plant, which contributes to the national grid, supplying electricity to about 50 million Nigerians and accounting for approximately 15 percent of the nation鈥檚 power supply. Irune emphasized that the company's investment portfolio increasingly focuses on gas, which he considers critical for Nigeria鈥檚 economic recovery and industrial development. Minister Tegbe welcomed Oando鈥檚 engagement and reaffirmed the Federal Government鈥檚 commitment to strengthening gas-to-power delivery as a key pillar of Niger