OpenAI Seeks Public Benefit Corporation Status to Stay Ahead in AI Race

OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, is proposing a new for-profit structure to stay ahead in the costly AI race. The plan involves transforming into a public benefit corporation (PBC), which would allow the company to access funding and attract capital.

According to OpenAI, this change is necessary to fund research and development for its restructuring efforts. However, not everyone is supportive of the move. Elon Musk and Meta have expressed opposition to OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit entity.

Critics argue that even with PBC status, it may be challenging to prioritize the company’s mission over profit. A legal expert has also pointed out that this model does not guarantee the organization’s values will remain intact.

As AI continues to shape various industries, companies like OpenAI are under immense pressure to innovate and stay competitive. The outcome of this decision will have significant implications for the future of AI research and development.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/openai-lays-out-plan-shift-new-for-profit-structure-2024-12-27