OpenAI has asked Meta to provide documents and communications. They want to learn about any potential coordination with Elon Musk and xAI. This request is related to his $97 billion unsolicited bid to acquire the AI startup. The request became public on Thursday as part of filings in Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI.

The company issued a subpoena to Meta in June. This was to seek evidence of Meta’s involvement in Musk’s bid. However, OpenAI ultimately rejected this involvement. The filings indicate that Musk communicated with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about xAI’s interest in acquiring OpenAI. They discussed possible financing arrangements or investments.

Meta initially opposed the subpoena in July, prompting OpenAI to now seek a court order to access the requested documents. OpenAI is also requesting any Meta records related to potential restructuring or recapitalization of the company. This is a central point in Musk’s lawsuit. He is challenging OpenAI’s conversion of its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone referred inquiries to OpenAI’s filing. It notes that neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed Musk’s letter of intent. Both OpenAI and Musk’s legal teams have not immediately commented on the latest developments.

Meta has aggressively pursued its own AI ambitions. It has invested billions into developing cutting-edge models. The company is acquiring top talent, including several former OpenAI researchers. The tech giant reportedly invested $14 billion in Scale AI and explored other AI acquisitions. While the extent of collaboration between Musk and Zuckerberg is unclear, the possibility underscores OpenAI’s prominence in the AI sector.

The legal clash stems from Musk’s objections to OpenAI’s restructuring, which he claims undermines the startup’s founding mission. Meta’s lawyers have argued that any relevant information is already in the hands of Musk and xAI. They believe internal discussions about OpenAI’s corporate structure are irrelevant to the case.

This ongoing dispute highlights both the intense competition in AI development and the high-profile dynamics between tech industry leaders.

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