Dimāpur, Nagaland, India – May 7, 2026 – In a significant development in the ongoing Elon Musk versus Sam Altman and OpenAI lawsuit, former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati provided sworn video deposition testimony alleging that CEO Sam Altman directly lied to her regarding the company’s safety review processes for a new AI model.
According to the testimony, Altman informed Murati that OpenAI’s legal department, including input from the general counsel, had determined that the new model did not require review by the company’s deployment safety board. When Murati independently verified this claim with the general counsel, she was told that no such determination had been made. Asked under oath whether Altman was telling the truth, Murati responded simply: “No.”
Murati further described a challenging work environment under Altman’s leadership. She stated that his management style created distrust among executives, undermined her ability to perform her role as CTO, and fostered a “very difficult and chaotic environment.” She added that Altman was “not always” honest with her.
The testimony, presented during court proceedings this week, adds formal weight to long-standing reports of internal friction at OpenAI. Previous media accounts from outlets such as The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal had detailed similar allegations, including claims that Altman provided inconsistent information to different team members and downplayed safety concerns. Reports also referenced internal memos compiled by former Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever that allegedly documented dozens of such instances, with contributions from Murati.
Context Within OpenAI’s Turbulent History
Murati’s deposition touches on the chaotic events of November 2023, when the OpenAI board briefly ousted Altman before reinstating him days later. Murati served as interim CEO during that period. Other former executives and board members, including Helen Toner, have publicly echoed concerns about governance, trust, and oversight at the company.
Murati left OpenAI in 2024. Her testimony forms part of the broader legal battle initiated by Elon Musk, who is challenging OpenAI’s shift from its original non-profit, open-source mission to a more commercially driven structure.
The case continues to unfold, shedding light on the high-stakes internal dynamics at one of the world’s leading AI companies as it develops increasingly powerful models. Legal experts note that sworn depositions like Murati’s could influence the trajectory of the lawsuit and public perception of OpenAI’s leadership practices.
This story has been widely reported across major outlets including The Verge, Reuters, Forbes, New York Post, and Gizmodo. Further developments are expected as the trial progresses.
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