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Shivon Zilis Denies Funneling OpenAI Information to Musk in Trial Testimony

The testimony puts conflict-of-interest questions at the center of a case that could reshape OpenAI’s governance.

Overview

  • Zilis, who sat on OpenAI’s board from 2020 to 2023, testified Wednesday that Musk offered to donate sperm in 2020 and that they now co‑parent four children.
  • She rejected claims she acted as Musk’s conduit, even as jurors saw a 2018 text where she asked whether to stay “close and friendly” to keep “info flowing.”
  • Zilis said Musk pushed several structure ideas, including making OpenAI part of Tesla, and that he offered Sam Altman a Tesla board seat during those talks.
  • A recorded statement from former CTO Mira Murati said Sam Altman gave conflicting messages and “created chaos,” sharpening the trial’s focus on trust and oversight.
  • An advisory jury is weighing breach of charitable trust and unjust enrichment in the liability phase, with potential remedies that could alter OpenAI’s leadership, structure, and a planned public listing reported for this year.