OpenAI has intensified its legal battle with Elon Musk by demanding documents from Meta.
The company wants proof of any role Meta played in Musk’s $97 billion bid to acquire the ChatGPT-maker.
Court Order
On Thursday, OpenAI’s lawyers revealed they had filed a motion asking a court to compel Meta to release evidence.
The request follows a subpoena first issued in June that asked Meta for records of discussions with Musk or his AI company, xAI, concerning the takeover offer.
OpenAI claims Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg exchanged communications about possible financing for the bid.
It remains unclear whether such records exist; nevertheless, OpenAI insists Meta must comply. Meta objected to the subpoena in July. Now, OpenAI has asked the court to intervene.
The company also wants access to any Meta records tied to restructuring or recapitalization plans for OpenAI, the core issue in Musk’s lawsuit.
OpenAI’s Mission
Musk filed suit earlier this year, arguing that OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission when it converted its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation.
OpenAI counters that the change was essential to attract investment and continue research. The company presses for documents to ascertain if Musk sought outside help.
Meta, however, rejects the idea. A spokesperson pointed to OpenAI’s own filing, which confirms neither Zuckerberg nor Meta signed Musk’s letter of intent.
Meta
Meta’s potential involvement comes against the backdrop of its own AI ambitions. In 2023, internal filings revealed Zuckerberg’s desire to build a model stronger than OpenAI’s GPT-4.
But by early 2025, Meta’s models lagged behind the industry standard. Reports suggest this frustrated Zuckerberg and sparked aggressive investments.
In recent months, Meta poured $14 billion into Scale AI. It also approached other AI labs for potential deals and made poaching attempts to employees in rival companies.
Some of those attempts were successful. Consequently, these talents will serve Meta’s established Superintelligence Labs, led by Shengjia Zhao, one of ChatGPT’s original developers.
Meta’s efforts show how central AI has become to its strategy. The company views leadership in artificial intelligence as critical to its long-term future.
Elon Musk’s Motive
Musk’s $97 billion reflects what’s at stake. His company, xAI, aims to rival OpenAI directly. A merger would have given Musk access to OpenAI’s researchers, models, and market position.
However, OpenAI rejected the bid. Still, Musk continues his lawsuit and insists OpenAI’s restructuring violated the company’s founding principles.
For Musk, the fight is both financial and personal.
