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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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadKing Charles III arrived in Washington on Monday for a four-day state visit, his first to the US since becoming king in 2022, accompanied by Queen Camilla. The visit aims to address strained relations with Donald Trump, particularly concerning the Iran war, which has impacted the "special relationship" between the two nations. The royal couple was greeted at Joint Base Andrews by Britain’s ambassador Christian Turner and White House protocol chief Monica Crowley. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated the visit would honor the long-standing ties between the US and UK. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will host King Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House, including tea and a tour of a new beehive. On Tuesday, the royals will meet the Trumps in the Oval Office and attend a state dinner. King Charles is also scheduled to address Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. The visit will continue in New York on Wednesday with a tour of the 9/11 memorial, before the royals depart for Bermuda on Thursday. The visit proceeds despite a recent attack at the White House Correspondents Dinner, with Buckingham Palace confirming King Charles's relief that Trump and other guests were unharmed. British ambassador Christian Turner assured that all necessary security measures are in place. The visit has generated controversy due to the US leader’s war with Iran and Trump’s criticism of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump
Must ReadFormer President Goodluck Jonathan and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi held a closed-door meeting on Monday as part of Obi’s political consultations for the 2027 general elections. The ADC Vanguard, the mobilization wing of the African Democratic Congress coalition, shared videos and pictures of the meeting on its X handle, describing the discussions as “high-level” and centered on the possibility of opposition parties presenting a single presidential candidate. This meeting occurs amidst Obi’s ongoing political engagements across Nigeria and discussions of a potential presidential alliance with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. The Ibadan Declaration, issued at the conclusion of a recent summit, saw participating parties resolve to form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress, resist moves toward a one-party state, and work towards presenting a single consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, a former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, has called for restraint and due process in the ongoing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom involving former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. Speaking on behalf of the Ijaw Women Advocates for Justice, Koripamo-Agary emphasized the importance of allowing the case to proceed through the courts without external influence or interference. Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is currently on trial in the UK facing allegations related to the awarding of Nigerian oil contracts, alongside her brother Doye Agama and oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde. The Ijaw Women Advocates for Justice stated their stance is rooted in defending justice and not individuals, observing developments with vigilance and rejecting speculation or premature judgments. They clarified that their position is neither a defense nor a condemnation, but a call for adherence to established judicial processes, cautioning against trying individuals in the court of public opinion. The group stressed that every individual is entitled to a fair hearing, due process, and the presumption of innocence, regardless of their position or public perception. They also referenced Alison-Madueke's professional background, insisting it should not prejudice current proceedings. The advocates reaffirmed their commitment to justice and fairness, rejecting sensational reporting and public tri
Veteran Nollywood actor and producer Solomon Akiyesi has died. The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, confirmed on Monday that Akiyesi passed away in his sleep on Sunday. His remains have been deposited in a morgue in Abuja. Yakubu stated that the guild is awaiting further details from the family regarding the circumstances of his death. Akiyesi, who was from Ososo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, began his Nollywood career in the late 1990s and appeared in over 100 films. He was known for his roles in movies including Marry Who You Love, Kiss My Pain, Joy of Nakasha, Heart of a Saint, Deadly Affair, Gen Z Wife, Olaedo The Fisher Girl, Pretty Liars, The End Is Near, and Desperate Ladies. Tributes have begun to appear across social media platforms.