OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reviewing its copy. Since its founding in 2015, the company has continued to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. But there you have it, developing models like ChatGPT or imagining artificial general intelligence (AGI) is expensive. Very expensive. To continue its momentum, OpenAI is announcing a structural change that will allow it to attract more funding.
AI is expensive
The company will become a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Clearly, this hybrid status, already adopted by other companies, makes it possible to juggle two objectives: generating profits for investors and having a positive impact for society. “ It takes capital, a lot of capital », Underlines OpenAI, which plans to invest billions to achieve its ambitions.
Why this change? According to OpenAI, its current structure does not allow it to meet investors' expectations while pursuing its initial mission: to ensure that artificial intelligence benefits humanity. This restructuring makes it possible to raise funds under more “classic” conditions, which appeals to billionaires and tech giants ready to invest.
But be careful, OpenAI insists: there is no question of sacrificing its initial objective. The company promises that its PBC status guarantees that decisions will take into account employees, users, and shareholders. To give pledges, she will maintain a link with her non-profit organization. The latter, which will recover shares in the new structure, will be “ one of the best endowed in history ”, according to the company. It will be able to finance projects in areas such as health, education or scientific research.
However, this shift raises questions. The promise of “ putting humanity before profits » has already been undermined by internal conflicts. In 2023, the OpenAI board of directors attempted to dismiss CEO Sam Altman, accused of not respecting this commitment.
However, OpenAI continues to move forward. With services like ChatGPT, used by more than 300 million people every week, the company has proven that it can combine innovation and real-world applications. And with this new structure, it aims even higher: to achieve AGI, this artificial intelligence capable of competing with human intelligence.
For OpenAI, this change of direction is a crucial step. Between the demands of investors and those of the general public, the company walks a tightrope. His challenge will be to prove that it is possible to reconcile financial ambition and the common good, while keeping an eye on the dangers of an AI that exceeds our capabilities. Quite a balancing act.
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