Musk OpenAI Trial testimony offered more than legal arguments this week. It also revisited Elon Musk’s once-close relationship with Google co-founder Larry Page and how disagreements over AI safety allegedly helped shape the creation of OpenAI.

What the Musk OpenAI Trial Revealed

During testimony on Tuesday, Elon Musk said one of his core reasons for co-founding OpenAI came after a falling-out with Larry Page.

According to Musk, he raised concerns that AI could potentially wipe out humanity. He claimed Page responded that it would be “fine” as long as AI itself survived. Musk said Page then called him a “speciest” for being “pro human.” Musk described that attitude as “insane.”

The comments were made under oath as part of Musk’s lawsuit involving OpenAI.

A Friendship Once Known in Silicon Valley

The Musk OpenAI Trial also highlighted how close the two tech leaders once were.

The original report noted that Fortune included Musk and Page on its 2016 list of secretly best-friend business leaders. Musk was reportedly comfortable enough to stay at Page’s home in Palo Alto. Page also once told Charlie Rose that he would rather give his money to Musk than to charity.

That makes the alleged breakdown in their relationship especially notable.

How OpenAI Became a Turning Point

According to the report, the friendship did not survive OpenAI.

When Musk recruited Ilya Sutskever, who had worked at Google AI, to help launch the company in 2015, Page reportedly felt personally betrayed and ended contact.

The account has been shared before, including in Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, but this was the first time Musk reportedly stated it under oath.

Why the Musk OpenAI Trial Matters

Beyond the legal dispute, the testimony offers a glimpse into how personal relationships and philosophical disagreements may have influenced major developments in the AI industry.

It also shows that debates around AI safety, competition, and long-term risks were shaping decisions years before today’s AI race accelerated.

Can the Rift Be Repaired?

The report noted that as recently as 2023, Musk told Lex Fridman he hoped to repair the relationship, saying they had been friends for a very long time.

Whether that happens remains unclear, but the Musk OpenAI Trial has brought their history back into public view.