OpenAI has transitioned to a for-profit model, a strategic move aimed at raising significant investment funds and possibly facilitating a stock market listing. This shift alters the longstanding partnership with Microsoft, which has now secured a 27% stake in OpenAI. The collaboration dates back to 2019 when OpenAI operated as a non-profit dedicated to artificial intelligence research.
Under the new agreement, Microsoft gains the ability to independently pursue artificial general intelligence, which is often defined as AI that exceeds human intellectual capabilities. OpenAI has announced the formation of an expert panel to validate any future claims regarding achieving artificial general intelligence, although the specifics of the panel’s membership have not been disclosed.
Following the conversion to a for-profit entity, it has been confirmed that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will not possess an equity stake in the company. The original partnership enabled Microsoft to gain rights to many of OpenAI’s developments at a time when the latter required substantial cloud computing support. The revised agreement extends Microsoft’s rights to OpenAI’s AI models until 2032 but does not cover consumer hardware.
OpenAI gained prominence in 2022 with the launch of ChatGPT, which has reportedly reached 800 million weekly active users. The organization is now valued at approximately $500 billion and has introduced various products to enhance user engagement, including the AI-powered browser, ChatGPT Atlas, and a video generation tool known as Sora.
However, the company faces ongoing scrutiny. Recently, OpenAI blocked the creation of deepfake videos featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of the civil rights leader’s family. Additionally, plans for ChatGPT to permit adult erotica content have also stirred controversy, while critics argue that OpenAI may have underestimated the potential mental health implications of its tools amidst their pursuit of profits.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgv38py7ewo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss