OpenAI is considering significant changes to its corporate governance structure that could allow Microsoft access to its as-yet-unrealised artificial general intelligence (AGI), as reported by the Financial Times. This comes amid the growing technological competition and the necessity for funding in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Currently, OpenAI operates under a provision that prevents Microsoft from accessing its AGI, a form of AI that possesses the capability to think and perform tasks at or above human levels. This provision was originally put in place to safeguard the technology from potential misuse in commercial avenues, ensuring that the ownership of AGI remains with OpenAI’s nonprofit board.
The potential shift in policy emerges as OpenAI, which has received over $13 billion in investment from Microsoft, seeks to enhance the value of its partnership and attract further investment in an increasingly competitive market that includes giants such as Amazon and Google. OpenAI has recently been valued at approximately $150 billion and is in the process of transitioning from a nonprofit research model to a public benefit corporation.
OpenAI’s Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, discussed these developments at a New York Times conference, stating that the company initially did not foresee the transition to becoming a product-oriented business or the scale of funding it would require. “If we knew those things, we would have picked a different structure,” Altman remarked. He also highlighted that AGI represents a significant milestone in their journey but noted that there remains uncertainty about its exact arrival, stating, “It will happen sooner than most people in the world think and it will matter much less.”
Adam D’Angelo, a member of OpenAI's board, provided further insights earlier this year, predicting that AGI could be available within the next five to 15 years, while emphasising its potential to bring about a transformative change in the world.
As OpenAI navigates this transition, it is also evaluating new terms with Microsoft and other investors, highlighting the company's strategic planning as it aligns itself for future growth and innovation in the AI sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services