A governance changes are taking place behind the scenes at OpenAI, one of the most influential AI firms, Reuters reported.
The restructuring process, still in development with input from lawyers and shareholders, has no set completion timeline, leaving uncertainty about when these changes will be finalized.
This internal restructuring coincides with a series of leadership shifts. On Wednesday, Mira Murati, the longtime chief technology officer, unexpectedly announced her resignation. Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, has also been on leave, signaling further upheaval at the company’s highest levels.
Founded in 2015 as a non-profit AI research entity, OpenAI introduced a for-profit subsidiary, OpenAI LP, in 2019 to secure funding, including a major investment from Microsoft. The company gained global attention with the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, a generative AI tool that produces human-like text responses. The app’s rapid success—surpassing 200 million weekly active users—has fueled a race for investment in AI technologies.
OpenAI’s valuation has surged from $14 billion in 2021 to a staggering $150 billion in a new convertible debt round, attracting high-profile investors such as Thrive Capital and Apple.
OpenAI’s hybrid structure, with its for-profit arm fully controlled by the nonprofit, was initially designed to ensure its mission of creating safe, beneficial artificial general intelligence. However, the governance model came under scrutiny last November during a dramatic boardroom conflict, which saw CEO Sam Altman briefly ousted and then reinstated within five days, backed by overwhelming support from employees and investors.
Since then, the board has been reshuffled with experienced tech executives, now led by Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce. Any corporate changes still require approval from the nine-member nonprofit board.
If nonprofit control is reduced or eliminated, OpenAI could function more like a traditional startup, a move welcomed by investors but raising concerns about the company’s ability to hold itself accountable on AI safety. Earlier this year, OpenAI disbanded its “superalignment” team, responsible for mitigating long-term risks associated with AI.
While the restructuring plans unfold, questions remain about CEO Sam Altman’s equity in the company. Altman, a billionaire due to his extensive startup investments, has previously stated he chose not to take an equity stake to maintain a board of disinterested directors. He has also said he is motivated by passion for the work rather than financial gain.
Should the restructuring proceed, OpenAI’s structure may begin to resemble that of rival AI firms like Anthropic and Elon Musk’s xAI, both of which operate as benefit corporations, balancing profitability with social responsibility.
