Musk and Altman go to trial; GM results and Spotify's fitness push

The high-profile civil trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reached jury selection, spotlighting allegations that OpenAI departed from its original non-profit mission after early backing from Musk. The case is expected to feature extensive document and witness testimony.

Plaintiff filings argue the company’s evolution into a commercial entity violated founding commitments, and the court proceedings in Oakland are likely to probe early governance decisions and commercial agreements, including Microsoft’s involvement cited in related filings. Market participants are watching for any rulings that could reshape governance expectations for AI firms.

In corporate earnings, General Motors (GM) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $43.6 billion and net income of $2.6 billion, and the board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share while raising full-year EBIT guidance. Management emphasized continued investment in Ultium battery capacity and software-defined vehicle initiatives as drivers of capital spending.

Spotify announced a strategic expansion into in-app fitness content, partnering with Peloton to offer thousands of on-demand, instructor-led classes to Premium subscribers in supported markets. The move is positioned as an engagement and retention play that bundles audio and guided workout experiences alongside music and podcasts. Investors will track whether the initiative can materially boost subscriber value without adding disproportionate content costs.

Market reaction has been mixed: Spotify shares saw sharp moves following mixed revenue guidance and investor focus on near-term subscriber metrics, while GM’s results prompted a measured response as analysts weigh capital allocation toward electrification. Going forward, analysts expect increased scrutiny on legal outcomes for AI governance, near-term execution on EV roadmaps for automakers, and the monetization path for platform-level content expansions like Spotify’s fitness offering.