## Musk vs. OpenAI: Billion-Dollar Damage Claim Elon Musk has formally sought damages between $79 billion and $134 billion in his lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing OpenAI of betraying its original nonprofit mission and harming him as an early investor. The astronomical figure is based on the assessment of an expert, C. Paul Wazzan, hired by Musk. Wazzan estimates that Musk's early contributions generated between 50% and 75% of OpenAI's current value. Wazzan's analysis is based on four main factors: Musk's financial contributions before he left OpenAI in 2018, the equity stake proposed to Musk in 2017, Musk's current equity stake in xAI, and his non-monetary contributions, such as time invested and his reputation. ## Disputed Calculation Methodology The methodology used to quantify the damage is at the heart of the legal dispute. It will be up to the court to assess the validity of the estimates and determine whether OpenAI actually caused damage to Musk and, if so, quantify it.