OpenAI has initiated legal proceedings against Meta in the context of Elon Musk's potential $97 billion acquisition of ChatGPT. The lawsuit highlights the increasing rivalry within the artificial intelligence industry.
Details of OpenAI's Lawsuit Against Meta
OpenAI has subpoenaed Meta as part of the lawsuit related to Elon Musk's offer to acquire ChatGPT. According to OpenAI and Sam Altman, Meta, or even CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally may have had backchannel communications with Musk and his AI startup xAI regarding the acquisition or investment in OpenAI.
Struggle for AI Control
OpenAI’s legal team indicated they first requested documents from Meta in June 2025, but it remains unclear whether any evidence has been submitted. The defense claims Musk directly discussed xAI’s offer with Zuckerberg, including potential financial terms. Meta has officially denied involvement, stating it neither participated in such communications nor signed any letter of intent regarding the deal with Musk or xAI.
Competition Between OpenAI and Meta
OpenAI is now requesting broader documentation, including anything related to restructuring and strategic changes at Meta. This lawsuit is as much about corporate control of AI as it is about transparency and competition. Analysts point to Meta's aggressive push into AI—developing its own models and allegedly recruiting OpenAI engineers—as an indication of a deeper rivalry forming between tech giants.
The legal dispute between OpenAI and Meta underscores the importance of control and transparency in the artificial intelligence sector, as well as the intensifying competition between key players.
