Sam Altman Says OpenAI Remains Under Oversight and Control of Nonprofit

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has confirmed that OpenAI continues to be overseen and controlled by its nonprofit organization. He made this statement to clear up confusion and concerns about the company’s structure and purpose.

OpenAI was started as a nonprofit in 2015 with the goal of developing artificial intelligence (AI) in a safe and responsible way. Later, it created a for-profit arm called OpenAI LP to raise more money and grow its research and technology. Despite this change, Altman explained that the nonprofit still holds full control over the for-profit side.

He said the nonprofit’s board makes all major decisions about how OpenAI operates. This includes decisions about the development and release of powerful AI models. Altman stressed that the board’s mission is to make sure OpenAI’s work benefits all of humanity and avoids harmful uses of AI.

Altman also pointed out that the company’s unique structure helps it stay focused on long-term goals instead of just short-term profits. The for-profit side can attract investment and hire top talent, but it must still follow the rules and goals set by the nonprofit.

Many people have recently questioned whether OpenAI is becoming too focused on making money, especially as its AI tools, like ChatGPT, become more popular and widely used. In response, Altman reminded the public that the nonprofit is still in charge and is working to keep the company’s work aligned with its original values.

He added that OpenAI will continue to share its research, cooperate with other organizations, and listen to public feedback. The goal, he said, is to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and used in a way that is safe, fair, and helpful to everyone.

By keeping the nonprofit in control, Altman believes OpenAI can stay true to its mission of using AI to improve lives and avoid risks that could come from unchecked development.