Musk’s “World War III” threat in Twitter lawsuit haunts him at OpenAI trial (arstechnica.com)

Elon Musk's ongoing legal struggles with OpenAI took a dramatic turn as he attempted to negotiate a settlement just days before the trial began, claiming the organization strayed from its nonprofit mission. Musk reached out to OpenAI President Greg Brockman, suggesting they both drop their claims, but when Brockman countered with a request for mutual concessions, Musk responded with veiled threats, saying they would become “the most hated men in America” if the lawsuit continued. OpenAI is now poised to present this message as evidence, potentially revealing Musk’s underlying motivations. This lawsuit is significant for the AI/ML community as it centers around fundamental questions of corporate ethics and mission alignment in AI development. Musk's testimony, which included stumbling over key points and downplaying existential threats of AI, has further complicated his position. If Brockman is allowed to testify about Musk's settlement communications, it could considerably weaken Musk’s claims. The case exposes broader concerns about accountability and the responsibilities of AI leaders, especially as Musk's own venture, xAI, faces scrutiny regarding its commitment to AI safety.