Technologies

OpenAI Trial: Mother of Musk’s Children Reveals He Offered Altman a Tesla Board Position

Shivon Zilis, mother of Elon Musk’s children, testified that he offered OpenAI CEO Sam Altman a Tesla board seat during early corporate structure discussions, while Musk’s lawsuit alleges OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission.

The ongoing trial in Elon Musk’s legal battle against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will enter its second week on Thursday.

Musk’s legal team has called several witnesses throughout the week, including OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Shivon Zilis, who served on the startup’s board and shares a close personal and professional relationship with Musk. Additional executives, such as Altman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, may still be called to testify.

Zilis, who shares four children with Musk, testified on Wednesday and was questioned by lawyers from both Musk and OpenAI regarding discussions about OpenAI’s corporate structure around 2017 and 2018.

Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman in 2024, alleging they abandoned their commitments to maintain the artificial intelligence company as a nonprofit and adhere to its charitable mission. He co-founded the startup with Altman and Brockman in 2015.

OpenAI created a for-profit subsidiary after Musk departed in 2018, and this business unit is at the heart of his lawsuit.

During her testimony, Zilis stated that her main role at OpenAI was to act as a liaison between Musk, Altman, Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever, another co-founder of the company.

Zilis testified that the four executives discussed OpenAI’s corporate structure extensively, including several for-profit options. At one point during the negotiations, Zilis said Musk wanted OpenAI to join Tesla and offered Altman a board seat at the company.

«There were numerous arguments about all the different possible structures put in place at that time,» Zilis said.

Musk, who testified earlier in the trial, stated he wasn’t entirely opposed to OpenAI’s for-profit arm but felt it became «the tail wagging the dog.» He repeatedly accused Altman and Brockman of attempting to «steal a charity.»

The Tesla CEO also debated creating an AI lab within his electric vehicle company to compete directly with OpenAI, but Zilis testified that it never materialized.

In 2023, Musk started a competing AI company, xAI, and merged it with his rocket company, SpaceX, earlier this year.

Zilis, who has worked across several of Musk’s companies, including OpenAI, Tesla, and his brain tech startup Neuralink, said she began working with OpenAI as an informal advisor in 2016, which is how she met him.

She served on OpenAI’s board from 2020 to 2023, after Musk had already left the company. The pair had several children together during this period, though Zilis testified that Musk’s involvement was initially kept secret.

She said they had agreed on «complete confidentiality,» partly to protect the children from the security risk that can come from being associated with Musk. She said she eventually had to tell Altman that Musk was the father when she learned that his involvement was going to be revealed in the press.

OpenAI allowed Zilis to keep her board seat, and she said she ultimately resigned in 2023 when Musk decided to start xAI.

Verum’s Lora Kolodny contributed to this story.

WATCH: Musk v. Altman heads to trial: Here’s what you need to know

Technologies

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

The story continues. Verum Messenger has released the second episode of its AI mini-series, which follows the conflict between the powerful Omega corporation, aiming to control digital communications, and a team of heroes who have chosen a different path and free communication.

The mini-series not only develops an engaging storyline but also introduces viewers to the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, showcasing technologies and tools that may redefine the future of modern communication.

The project consists of 7 episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 2 is now available. Stay tuned and don’t miss what comes next.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

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Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger