NAIROBI, Kenya- OpenAI, the creator behind ChatGPT and one of the most influential AI companies, is reportedly planning a major restructuring.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the company aims to shift from its current setup—a non-profit with a for-profit subsidiary—into a for-profit benefit corporation.
This move would allow OpenAI to loosen the control its non-profit board currently holds and appeal to a broader range of investors.
OpenAI was originally founded in 2015 as a non-profit focused on artificial intelligence research, with a mission to create AI that benefits humanity.
Fast forward to 2019, and the company added OpenAI LP, a for-profit subsidiary, to secure much-needed capital from backers like Microsoft. The company has since skyrocketed in value, with ChatGPT becoming one of the fastest-growing apps in history, amassing over 200 million weekly users.
But now, it appears OpenAI wants to tweak its structure again. Sources reveal that the non-profit will continue to exist, owning a minority stake in the newly restructured company.
The plan, still being finalized, is designed to attract more investors and remove the cap on their returns. CEO Sam Altman, who until now has not held equity in the company, is expected to receive a stake that could be worth billions after the restructuring.
This change would make OpenAI resemble its AI rivals Anthropic and Elon Musk’s xAI, both of which are benefit corporations—a for-profit model designed to balance profits with social responsibility.
The new setup is expected to appeal to investors, but it also raises questions about governance and how the company will manage the risks of developing advanced AI, particularly in the absence of its dissolved super-alignment team.
OpenAI’s restructuring comes amid significant leadership changes. Longtime Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati abruptly announced her departure earlier this week, leaving many to speculate about internal changes at the company.
Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, is also currently on leave. These departures come at a crucial time for the company as it navigates its shift toward a more traditional corporate structure.
The new governance structure could mark a significant departure from OpenAI’s original mission to develop “safe AGI”—artificial general intelligence that matches or exceeds human intelligence in a safe and responsible way.
The non-profit arm of OpenAI was initially established to ensure accountability, and its board has full control over the for-profit subsidiary.
This board, now chaired by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, will need to approve any corporate changes.
This shift comes after a tumultuous period for OpenAI. In November, the non-profit board ousted Altman due to what it described as a breakdown in communication, only to reinstate him five days later amid overwhelming support from employees and investors.
Since then, the company’s board has been refreshed, and the restructuring plan seems to be the next step in positioning OpenAI for the future.
The shift toward a benefit corporation model could make OpenAI more attractive to investors who have already poured billions into the company.
However, it also raises concerns in the AI safety community about whether the company will maintain enough governance to manage the risks associated with advanced AI development.
