Microsoft Steers Clear of Musk vs. Altman Conflict

Maybe I’m just a bit dazed after three weeks of the Musk v. Altman showdown, but I’ve developed a surprising appreciation for Microsoft during this trial. They’re just as eager to be done with it as I am.

Their opening statement felt like a classic Microsoft moment—more of a product showcase than anything else. It was packed with details about their offerings, subtly suggesting that this whole trial was ridiculous, but hey, jurors, you might still enjoy an Xbox game.

The courtroom has seen its fair share of drama, with Musk, his team, and OpenAI taking center stage. It’s true that Microsoft was an early and significant investor in OpenAI’s for-profit venture. We even got a glimpse of internal emails debating the wisdom of funding OpenAI and how to avoid becoming the IBM to OpenAI’s Microsoft. (In the context of this trial? Totally normal!)

However, Microsoft has been noticeably absent from the key decision-making moments captured in the extensive text threads, diary entries, and other cringe-worthy documents. They popped up in a few emails, and there were some texts from CEO Satya Nadella suggesting that OpenAI board members should reach out, but that was about it.

On the stand, Nadella came across as calm and collected, as engaging as a pair of pleated khaki pants. His responses were mostly forgettable, except for one standout moment: he described the 2023 OpenAI board drama, when Altman was briefly ousted, as “sort of amateur city, as far as I was concerned.” Fair point! But honestly, this entire trial feels a bit like amateur hour from Microsoft’s perspective. The late-night text exchanges among Musk’s team, the disputes over equity, Musk’s “I’ve had enough” email—none of it really screams maturity.

Throughout the trial, Musk’s and OpenAI’s lawyers have been going head-to-head over witnesses. Then the Microsoft lawyers stepped in, delivering the trial’s punchline with a series of questions: “And was Microsoft involved?” Nope. “Did anyone inform Microsoft about this?” No, they did not. “Was Satya Nadella present?” He was not. No further questions, your honor.

I’m curious to see their closing statement. Maybe it’ll be a pitch for Microsoft Word.