The tech trial of the year, Musk v. Altman, was ultimately a fight for control. Elon Musk argued that Sam Altman, with whom he helped found the now-massive company OpenAI, shouldn’t direct the future of AI. Altman’s lawyers, in turn, poked at Musk’s own credibility. A jury came to a verdict on Monday after just two hours of deliberation, dismissing Musk’s claims due to the statute of limitations.
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Musk v. Altman proved that AI is led by the wrong people
In a strictly legal sense, three weeks of testimony added up to nothing. But the trial offered a more damning broader takeaway: Almost nobody in this saga seems worth trusting. Some of the most powerful people in tech seem temperamentally incapable of dealing with each other honestly. And if that’s true, it raises a bigger question: Why are they in control of a trillion-dollar industry that’s set to upend people’s lives?
OpenAI was, in the testimony of both Musk and Altman, founded to stop powerful AI from being owned and advanced by the wrong people. Testimony and evidence showed its founding team fretting about who would control artificial general intelligence (AGI), a buzzword for AI that broadly equals or surpasses human knowledge and ability. They deeply feared Google DeepMind and its leader, Demis Hassabis. In 2015, Altman said he’d been mulling over whether anything could “stop humanity from developing AI” — and after concluding it was impossible, that he wanted “someone other than google to do it first.”
Fellow cofounders Greg Brockman and Ilya Sutskever so strongly opposed one-person control that they seemed willing to torpedo a lucrative deal that could — in their words — give Musk an “AI dictatorship.” In a part of the same email addressed to Altman, Brockman and Sutskever questioned his motivations, writing, “We haven’t been able to fully trust your judgements throughout this process … Is AGI truly your primary motivation? How does it connect to your political goals?”
These concerns would be quickly borne out. A central focus of Musk v. Altman was “the blip,” a five-day period in November 2023 when OpenAI’s board removed Altman as CEO. Sutskever had spent more than a year architecting his ouster, assembling a 52-page memo alleging “a consistent pattern of lying, undermining his execs, and pitting his execs against one another.” The implications were broader than executive infighting, potentially impacting the public rollout of AI systems. Then-CTO Mira Murati, for instance, testified in court that Altman told her OpenAI’s legal team had okayed skipping a safety review for one of its models — a statement, she said, that turned out to be false.
In closing arguments, Musk attorney Steven Molo hammered home the long list of people who had testified under oath that Altman was, in one way or another, a liar — all of whom Altman had worked with for years. “The defendants absolutely need you to believe Sam Altman,” Molo told the jury. “If you cannot trust him, if you don’t believe him, they cannot win. It’s that simple.”
But during court proceedings, Musk — who now leads competing lab xAI, under his space company SpaceX — didn’t come off any better. Joshua Achiam, now OpenAI’s chief futurist, testified that Musk’s race against Google led him to take an “obviously unsafe and reckless” approach to achieving AGI. When he and others raised concerns, he says, Musk argued that OpenAI’s for-profit makeover created incentives to disregard safety, but his own xAI is for-profit and has, at best, a haphazard approach to safety. And in the name of making sure OpenAI remained open, Musk was obsessive in his need for control over it. In closing arguments, Sarah Eddy, one of OpenAI’s attorneys, told the jury that Musk “wanted dominion over AGI.”
As one X user put it, “if untrustworthyness had mass, putting Musk and Altman too close to one another would collapse the courtroom and all of earth into a black hole.”
OpenAI and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
It’s not just Musk and Altman, either. Trial evidence suggested Murati helped get Altman removed, then switched sides to support his reinstatement while appearing “totally uninterested” in disclosing the role she’d played. Shivon Zilis, a close Musk associate who served on OpenAI’s board, asked Musk if he’d “prefer I stay close and friendly to OpenAI to keep info flowing” during his departure — avoiding revealing that she had two children with him at the time. Brockman’s diary entries played a key role in Musk’s case; at one point, he admitted Musk could “correctly” claim “we weren’t honest with him” if OpenAI made a for-profit shift without his involvement.
Musk v. Altman gave each man an opportunity to sling dirt at the other and, in theory, establish himself as the more scrupulous guardian of AI. But a more obvious takeaway is that several of the AI industry’s household names are at best naive — and, at worst, hypocrites with little regard for the consequences of their actions.
Public sentiment about AI is at an all-time low. In a Pew Research survey from last summer, half of US adults said the “increased use of AI in daily life makes them feel more concerned than excited” — and only 10 percent said they felt more excited than concerned. Many of these concerns are related to job loss, but protests are also surging against mass data center construction across the country. Some resistance has turned potentially violent, with individuals allegedly attempting to attack Altman’s home on two occasions. And many tech CEOs themselves maintain that they have bunkers or other doomsday-prepping plans for if things go horribly wrong.
These companies push public messaging that AI empowers its users. But a 2025 Pew Research study found that nearly 60 percent of US adults feel they have little to no control over how AI is used in their lives. In the US, the prospect of meaningful government regulation — which could at least offer some level of external oversight — remains shaky. And now, it’s clearer than ever how far the AI world’s biggest players will go to maintain control.
Amid the trial’s reams of evidence, one document offers a rare example of Altman and Musk offering to cede some power. In March 2015, Altman emailed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with a simple request: Sign a letter that he and Musk were drafting, asking the US government to establish “a new regulatory agency for AI safety” and address “the biggest risk to the continued existence of humanity that most people are ignoring.” Weeks later, Nadella responded to shut down the idea. The “issue of human safety and the control problem will become real issues,” he said. But executives, he insisted, should be calling for “federal funding and encouragement of research,” not oversight. Altman promptly agreed. The letter, he promised, would be changed — leaving the option of regulating the AI industry “if and when.”
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Nearly a year after it was announced, Instagram says it’s delivering the ability to rearrange the posts in your profile grid. It had been available to some people in test groups, but as of June 8th, it’s rolling out widely via the Android and iPhone mobile apps.
Until now, the posts on your Instagram profile have been locked in chronological order beyond the ability to pin three posts at the top, but once the feature is live on your account, you can long-press and drag posts freely, no matter how old they are. Any posts that are pinned will remain at the top.
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A robot that follows you around the house may sound a little strange at first. Yet Colin Angle, the cofounder of iRobot and one of the people behind Roomba, is betting that the next big home robot may feel less like a machine and more like a companion.
His new company, Familiar Machines & Magic, has revealed its first robot concept called a Familiar. It is a pet-inspired, emotionally aware home robot designed to live with you, learn your routines and support healthier habits. “The next era of robotics is not just about dexterity or humanoid form. It is about machines that can build and sustain human connection,” Angle said.
That may sound great to some of you, and others not so much. Whatever your take, it raises some important questions too. Do you really want an AI-powered companion roaming around your home 24/7? Can a robot provide comfort without creating dependency? And will privacy hold up when a device can see, hear and remember what happens around you? Let’s take a closer look.
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AI HUMANOID ROBOT LEARNS TO MIMIC HUMAN EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOR
Familiar Machines & Magic has revealed Familiar, an AI-powered home robot concept designed to learn routines and respond to human emotions. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
What is the Familiar AI robot pet?
A Familiar is a physically embodied AI robot built for human interaction. Unlike a chatbot on your phone, this robot has a body. It can move, react and express itself through animal-inspired behaviors.
The first version is a four-legged robot with a soft, touch-sensitive coat. It uses cameras, microphones, speakers and onboard AI to respond to people in real time. The company says it can read facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
So, if you smile, it may tilt its head. If you seem stressed, it may nuzzle you. If you get excited, it may wiggle its tail. The goal is to build a warm presence that feels natural in your home. Familiar Machines & Magic says the robot is designed to support people through daily life rather than perform one simple task.
Why this AI robot pet feels more like a companion
Most home robots have focused on chores. Roomba vacuumed your floors. Other robots promised security patrols, video calls or entertainment. Familiar is doing something different. It is built to support your daily routines and respond to how you are feeling.
The company describes it as a companion that can encourage better habits. For example, it may notice that you have been doomscrolling and give you a gentle nudge. It could encourage movement, help engage kids in screen-free play or offer a non-judgmental presence when you need to vent. That makes the robot feel more like a pet than a device. Still, the company says it is meant to supplement your life, not replace people or real animals.
A WHEELED ROBOT MAY BEAT HUMANOIDS INTO YOUR HOME
How the Familiar AI robot learns your routines
The Familiar is designed to build memory over time. The more you interact with it, the more distinct its personality may become. That could mean it learns when your household eats dinner, when you usually relax or when you tend to fall into habits you want to break. Then it can react in small physical ways.
Instead of barking orders, it may use movement, sound and expression. A paw tap could remind you to move. A gentle approach could signal that it wants attention. A scared reaction could warn you if it senses an unsafe situation, such as being placed near heat.
This is where the idea gets interesting. The robot does not need to speak to communicate. In fact, Familiar Machines & Magic says the first Familiar currently does not talk. That restraint may be smart. A robot that acts through gestures may feel less intrusive than one that constantly chats.
The Familiar robot concept uses cameras, microphones, speakers and onboard AI to respond to facial expressions, tone of voice and body language. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
Why the Roomba creator’s new robot stands out
Colin Angle helped turn consumer robotics into a real business with iRobot. That gives this project extra weight because many social robots have come and gone without lasting success.
Robots such as Jibo, Anki’s Vector and other home companions generated excitement, but many struggled to keep people engaged after the novelty wore off.
Familiar Machines & Magic seems aware of that challenge. The company says the robot must build a long-term connection rather than offer a flashy demo. In other words, cuteness alone will not carry it. A Familiar has to keep earning its place in your home.
HOME ROBOT COOKS, CLEANS AND ORGANIZES YOUR LIFE
How Familiar handles privacy inside your home
A robot that sees and hears what happens inside your home naturally raises privacy questions. Familiar Machines & Magic says its AI runs on the device, so your private data does not need to stream constantly to the cloud.
The company also says data is stored on the robot, and you decide when it gets shared with the cloud. The robot should still work if you disconnect it from the internet, although you may miss out on new features.
That is the kind of privacy setup you want to see with a home robot. Still, you should read the fine print before bringing one into your house. Look for clear answers on what it records, how long it keeps that data, who can access it and how you can delete it.
Why AI robot pets could appeal to families and older adults
A Familiar could make sense for people who want a little extra support at home without adding another screen to the mix. Parents may use it to help pull kids into screen-free play. Someone living alone could feel a little more company in the house. Older adults may eventually get help with reminders, routines and companionship.
That last part could be where this type of robot really proves itself. It could gently encourage daily habits, check in through movement and sound and stay out of the way when needed. For homes where people want support without feeling watched or managed, that balance could make a real difference.
NEW MOBILE ROBOT HELPS SENIORS WALK SAFELY AND PREVENT FALLS
Colin Angle, cofounder of iRobot and one of the creators behind Roomba, is betting home robots could become companions rather than chore machines. (Familiar Machines & Magic)
When will the Familiar AI robot be available and what will it cost?
Familiar Machines & Magic has not announced a price or release date yet. The company also says this reveal isn’t a commercial product launch.
So, for now, this is more of a first look at where the company is headed. The real test will come when people can actually bring one home. Can it move safely around a busy house? Will people still use it after the first week? Will the privacy controls be clear enough? And will the price make sense for families?
Those are the questions that will determine whether Familiar becomes something people truly want in their homes, or something that looks great in a demo but never becomes part of our daily lives.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Familiar is one of the more interesting home robot ideas we have seen in years because it moves beyond chores and into emotional support. That is exciting, but it is also a much harder promise to keep. The Roomba connection gives this project credibility, especially since Colin Angle knows how difficult it is to make robots useful in real homes. Still, Familiar Machines & Magic has to prove this robot can stay helpful after the novelty wears off. If the company can balance usefulness, privacy, safety and emotional connection, Familiar could point to a new future for AI at home.
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Would you want an emotionally aware AI robot in your home, or would you rather keep that kind of technology out of your personal space? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Apple’s big developer conference is today, and protesters are using the occasion to call on the company to remove “nudify apps” from the App Store and pull “known” child sexual abuse material from iCloud.
Outside the visitors center at Apple’s Cupertino campus, protesters have put up a large sign saying “Apple is powered by child sexual abuse” and asking incoming CEO John Ternus, “What will you do?” The protesters come from UltraViolet, a women’s advocacy group, and Heat Initiative, a group that aims to “hold tech companies accountable for enabling and profiting from child sexual abuse.”
Apple and Google came under significant scrutiny earlier this year for continuing to keep apps like xAI’s Grok on their app stores even though users were able to make nonconsensual sexualized deepfakes. In pamphlets distributed at the protest, the organizations say that “at least 47 nudify apps have been found on Apple’s App Store” and that “Apple has made an estimated $117 million minimum from nudify apps,” including “an estimated $35+ million from Grok alone,” citing data from the Tech Transparency Project. UltraViolet also has a website dedicated to its protest today.
Apple previously scrapped plans to scan photos saved to iCloud for child sexual abuse imagery over privacy concerns.
Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.
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