OpenAI began as a nonprofit research institute aimed at developing “artificial general intelligence” for humanity’s benefit, founded by Sam Altman and Elon Musk. However, in less than a decade, the company shifted towards profit-driven motives, attracting significant investment. Recently, OpenAI has been negotiating a secondary stock sale potentially valuing it at around $500 billion—an impressive rise from just two years prior. In 2019, it launched a “capped-profit” subsidiary, later transitioning to a for-profit benefit corporation to optimize funding. Despite claims of prioritizing human impact, OpenAI’s actions raise questions about its commitment to altruism versus profit. Critics, including Musk, argue that the company now favors financial returns over its foundational mission. Experts warn that the booming AI sector may be creating an economic bubble, reminiscent of the dot-com crash. OpenAI continues to thrive, recently announcing a record $40 billion funding round, emphasizing its financial prowess and controversial evolution.
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