Summary
OpenAI, a company that creates artificial intelligence technology, has decided to stay under the control of its for-profit board while also becoming a public benefit corporation. This decision comes after push-back about a potential loss of focus on societal benefit in the company's pursuit for growth.
Key Facts
- OpenAI is the creator of the artificial intelligence service, ChatGPT.
- There was a disagreement about who should control OpenAI.
- OpenAI's boss, Sam Altman, has said the company will stay under the control of its for-profit board but will also become a public benefit corporation. This type of corporation has a duty to serve the public, not just make money for shareholders.
- Some critics, like the co-founder Elon Musk, believe the company's pursuit of growth could distract it from its original aim: to develop technology that benefits humanity.
- Some employees and experts had previously asked regulators in two states (California and Delaware) to stop OpenAI from changing its structure.
- The new plan allows OpenAI to get rid of its current complex way of doing things, which limited its profits. This had made it difficult for the company to attract investors, such as Microsoft.
- Sam Altman said that he believes making more money and expanding access to artificial intelligence are in line with OpenAI's mission.
- It's still not known if this new plan will satisfy the company's critics and investors.
