OpenAI announced its new governance structure after an enormous internal struggle over the concentrated power at its heart. The organization, which oversees the artificial intelligence service ChatGPT, aims to address concerns raised by stakeholders while maintaining its commitment to its original mission of developing technology for the benefit of humanity.
Chief executive officer of OpenAI Sam Altman ended the day under the impression that OpenAI would continue to be governed by its for-profit board. As we’ve noted, he did signal that the non-profit side of OpenAI would remain deeply empowered. “This is not a sale, but a change of structure to something simpler,” he stated, indicating an effort to clarify the organization’s direction amid recent turmoil.
OpenAI is in the process of converting itself into a public benefit corporation. This shift very much corresponds with emerging priorities and pledges in the United States. This amendment provides the Catch-All Non-Profit the ability to gain, though not defined, a controlling interest in OpenAI’s commercial business enterprise. We think this stake will give the non-profit the financial wherewithal to go deeper in pursuing its objectives.
Altman expressed his belief that expanding access to artificial intelligence will empower individuals to “build incredible things for each other and continue to drive society and quality of life forward.” This mood captures the original vision behind OpenAI when it was established as a non-profit enterprise.
OpenAI’s impressive achievements have not been free from contention. Elon Musk and other tech luminaries have warned that the organization’s growth obsession might lead it to abandon its original purpose. Page Hedley, a former policy and ethics adviser at OpenAI, criticized the new update. He explained that it didn’t answer key questions like who would own the proprietary technology from the agency’s development. “We’re glad that OpenAI is listening to concerns from civil society leaders… but crucial questions remain,” he said.
Bret Taylor, chairman of OpenAI, said the decision to restructure was made following thoughtful conversations with civic leaders. His work further included advising offices of the Delaware and California Attorney General. This discourse has undoubtedly influenced OpenAI in a major way. Today, it finds itself at the intersection of commercial motivation and social good.
In December, Altman suggested a very similar governance plan. At no time did it venture to explain the undue control of the non-profit sector. The current plan seeks to rectify this ambiguity while ensuring that OpenAI remains aligned with its mission of advancing technology for public good.
The latest governance changes come at a pivotal moment for OpenAI as it strives to balance its ambitions for growth with its foundational principles. Discussions around how artificial intelligence, or AI, will shape society are intensifying. Now it’s up to them to see how this new structure will play out in practice.