Elon Musk wanted $80 billion to create a city on Mars, according to testimony from OpenAI president Greg Brockman at a trial involving the artificial intelligence company. Brockman provided a vivid account of the high-stakes friction that defined OpenAI's early days.
On Tuesday, May 5, Brockman stated that the push to transition OpenAI into a for-profit entity was not merely about survival but was tied to Musk's vision for interplanetary colonization. "He said he needed $80 billion to create a city" on Mars, Brockman testified, noting that Musk believed he deserved a majority stake due to his business experience. "In the end, he needed full control."
The courtroom account also detailed a sharp breakdown in the relationship during an August 2017 meeting. After Musk expressed disapproval of a proposed equity structure, Brockman claimed Musk "stood up and walked over so fast he was concerned Musk would hit him." Instead of a physical altercation, Musk reportedly "picked up Sutskever's painting and stormed out," vowing to withhold funding.
As the trial continues, the financial figures involved have reached a massive scale. OpenAI is reportedly planning to spend $50 billion on computing resources in 2026, while Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages to be paid back to the nonprofit. Meanwhile, the defense has highlighted Brockman's own financial motivations, pointing to a 2017 diary entry where he wrote, "Financially, what will take me to $1B?"
