WASHINGTON (April 29, 2026) – A high stakes trial may reshape how AI companies are governed. In a federal courthouse in Oakland, California, Elon Musk testified against Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and OpenAI accusing OpenAI of stealing a charity by shifting to a profit-driven model.
Mary Anne Franks, Eugene L. and Barbara A. Bernard Professor in Intellectual Property, Technology, and Civil Rights Law at the George Washington University Law School and a leading expert on technology, civil rights, and free speech, can offer insight into this court case.
Her work focuses on the limits of tech self-governance and the legal and ethical responsibilities of companies developing powerful digital tools. As the case raises fundamental questions about whether AI companies can balance public interest missions with profit-driven models, Franks can help audiences understand what’s at stake beyond the courtroom. She can speak to how this trial reflects broader gaps in accountability across the tech industry.
If you would like to schedule an interview with Franks, please contact Claire Sabin at claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-