In a court testimony, Elon Musk disclosed that his AI company xAI partially relied on OpenAI systems for training Grok, highlighting industry practices and intensifying ongoing legal conflicts surrounding model training and proprietary technology.
Elon Musk has acknowledged in court that his artificial intelligence company xAI may have used OpenAI systems to help train Grok, in a disclosure that throws fresh light on how leading developers are building and refining their models. Speaking at a federal hearing in California on 28 April, Mr Musk said xAI had "partially" used distillation techniques involving OpenAI models, according to TechCrunch and WIRED.
Distillation is a widely used method in which the outputs or behaviour of a large model are used to teach a smaller one, allowing developers to lower costs while preserving some of the original system's capabilities. Mr Musk said the practice is common across the industry, while also stressing that xAI remains much smaller than rivals such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, according to the court testimony reported by TechCrunch.
The admission comes against the backdrop of Mr Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, chief executive Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, in which he argues the company drifted away from its original non-profit mission as it moved towards a commercial structure. The dispute has become one of the most closely watched legal fights in the AI sector, with both sides contesting not only corporate purpose but also the boundaries of model training and access to proprietary systems.
According to reporting by GeekWire, the litigation has also widened into questions about Mr Musk's overlapping roles as both plaintiff and business partner, with OpenAI and Microsoft seeking to use xAI's commercial ties as part of their defence. Separately, other legal battles around the company continue to mount: a judge has blocked xAI's effort to compel OpenAI to hand over source code in a separate case, while OpenAI has won dismissal of a trade-secret claim brought by xAI. Meanwhile, xAI is facing a class-action lawsuit over alleged deepfake abuse involving Grok, underscoring the growing legal and ethical scrutiny surrounding Musk's AI venture.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article reports on Elon Musk's testimony from April 30, 2026, regarding xAI's use of OpenAI models to train Grok. This is the earliest known publication date for this specific information, indicating high freshness. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on recent court proceedings, which typically warrant a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Elon Musk's testimony, such as his statement that distillation is a common practice among AI companies. These quotes are consistent with reports from reputable sources like TechCrunch and WIRED. However, the exact wording of the quotes varies slightly between sources, which could indicate paraphrasing or slight inaccuracies. No online matches were found for the exact phrasing used in the article, suggesting that the quotes cannot be independently verified. This raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the quoted statements.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The article originates from a reputable news outlet, Axios, known for its comprehensive coverage of technology and business news. However, the article relies heavily on reporting from other reputable sources, such as TechCrunch and WIRED, without providing direct access to the original court transcripts or firsthand accounts. This reliance on secondary reporting may introduce potential biases or inaccuracies. The article does not appear to be summarising, rewriting, or aggregating content from another publication, indicating a moderate level of source reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with industry practices and recent developments in AI, particularly regarding the use of distillation techniques for training models. The article also references ongoing legal proceedings involving Elon Musk and OpenAI, which are well-documented and widely reported. However, the article lacks specific factual anchors, such as direct links to court transcripts or official statements, which would enhance its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with typical news reporting, and there are no excessive or off-topic details. The tone is neutral and factual, without unusual drama or vagueness.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article provides timely and relevant information about Elon Musk's testimony regarding xAI's use of OpenAI models to train Grok. While the content is fresh and the claims are plausible, there are concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the quoted statements due to slight variations in wording and the inability to independently verify the exact phrasing. Additionally, the reliance on secondary reporting without direct access to original court transcripts or firsthand accounts introduces potential biases or inaccuracies. The lack of specific factual anchors and the moderate level of source independence further contribute to a medium level of confidence in the overall assessment. Editors should exercise caution and consider seeking additional verification from primary sources before publishing.
