TechnologyMay 6, 2026

Courtroom Moments: Brockman on OpenAI’s Shift

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

nonprofit/ˌnɒnˈprɒf.ɪt/

An organization that is not set up to make money for owners.

"OpenAI started as a nonprofit."

funding/ˈfʌn.dɪŋ/

Money given for a project or activity.

"The project needs more funding."

trial/ˈtraɪ.əl/

A legal hearing where people present evidence to a judge or jury.

"The trial is in Oakland."

Listening

Courtroom Moments: Brockman on OpenAI’s Shift

Greg Brockman is the president of OpenAI. He spoke in a U.S. court about how OpenAI changed from a nonprofit to a company.

Brockman said that in 2017 Elon Musk wanted OpenAI to become commercial because a nonprofit could not raise the money needed. Musk gave about $38 million to OpenAI early on. Brockman also said Musk tried to get majority control and wanted very large funding to help his plans for Mars. In court Brockman also said his stake in OpenAI is worth nearly $30 billion. The trial is in Oakland, California. Jurors are hearing both sides now. Many people are watching the case.

105 words

Quiz

1. Who is the president of OpenAI?

2. How much money did Musk give early on?

3. Where is the trial?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you follow news about technology companies? Why or why not?

Have you ever worked with a team that changed its goals? What happened?

What do you think when you hear that a company leader owns a large stake in their company?