US judge dismisses Musk's fraud claims in OpenAI case

Elon Musk
Fraud claims at the centre of Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI have been dismissed by a judge. -AP

A US judge has dismissed Elon ‌Musk's fraud claims in his lawsuit accusing OpenAI ‌and co-founder Sam Altman of betraying OpenAI's original mission, but ‌plans to proceed to trial on Musk's breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment claims.

The ruling was issued by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ‌in Oakland, California.

Jury ‌selection ⁠is scheduled to begin on ​Monday, and opening arguments are expected on Tuesday.

Musk had said dismissing his fraud and constructive fraud claims, which he proposed, would streamline the case and keep jurors focused ⁠on his goal ‌of ​ensuring that OpenAI benefit humanity rather than be a "wealth ​machine."

The case ‌centers on Musk's claim that OpenAI, Altman and Microsoft, ​one of OpenAI's largest investors, conned him and the public by forming a for-profit ​entity ​in 2019, after he ​left OpenAI's board.

OpenAI is preparing ‌for a potential initial public offering that could value it at $US1 trillion, Reuters has reported.

Musk is seeking $US150 billion in damages, according to a person involved ​in the case, with proceeds going to ​OpenAI's charitable arm.