Exclusive: OpenAI to Restructure, Give Sam Altman Equity for the First Time

O penAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is planning a significant restructuring that will see its non-profit board relinquish control of its for-profit operations. This move is expected to make the company more attractive to investors and give CEO Sam Altman an equity stake for the first time, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Key Points

• Restructuring for Investment Appeal: OpenAI will transition its core business into a for-profit benefit corporation, no longer controlled by its non-profit board. The non-profit will still exist and hold a minority stake in the new for-profit structure.
• Sam Altman’s New Equity Stake: Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, will receive equity in the company for the first time. After the restructuring, OpenAI’s valuation could hit $150 billion.
• A Shift Toward a Traditional Business Model: The restructuring aims to align OpenAI more with traditional startups, which could please investors, but raises questions about AI safety and governance.

Investor Appeal and AI Risk Management

The restructuring will make OpenAI more appealing to investors by removing a cap on returns and increasing transparency, but it could have implications for how the company manages AI risks. The changes could potentially dilute the influence of the original non-profit’s mission to ensure that AI is developed responsibly.

According to sources, the decision to restructure has been influenced by investor demand, with large names like Thrive Capital and Apple showing interest in backing the company.

Changes in Leadership

The shake-up comes alongside leadership transitions at OpenAI. CTO Mira Murati announced her departure, and Greg Brockman, the company’s president, has been on leave. These leadership changes reflect broader shifts in the company’s strategy as it moves toward a more investor-friendly model.

OpenAI’s Remarkable Growth

Since launching ChatGPT in late 2022, OpenAI has seen explosive growth. The app has over 200 million weekly active users and has driven the company’s valuation to skyrocket—from $14 billion in 2021 to an anticipated $150 billion.

What Does This Mean for AI Safety?

OpenAI’s unique structure was initially designed to ensure the safe development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—AI that surpasses human intelligence. With the restructuring, critics from the AI safety community are concerned about whether the company will retain sufficient governance to oversee long-term AI risks.

The company’s for-profit business will resemble structures used by other prominent AI firms, such as Anthropic and Elon Musk’s xAI, which operate as benefit corporations—organizations that aim to balance profit with social responsibility.

Looking Ahead

While the details of Altman’s equity stake remain unclear, the new structure is expected to boost OpenAI’s appeal to investors, making it operate more like a traditional startup. However, this could also raise concerns about whether the company remains committed to its original mission of developing AI in a safe and ethical manner.

OpenAI’s future will now hinge on its ability to balance innovation, investor returns, and the safety and ethical considerations of AGI.