OpenAI's Advisory Board Pushes for Stronger Public Involvement in AI Development

Nonprofit Control Advocated by Advisors

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is at a crossroads. A group of advisors recently recommended that OpenAI should remain under nonprofit control. They argue that AI is too crucial to be left solely to corporations or governments. A nonprofit structure, they believe, fosters greater public involvement in AI development.

Community Insights

The advisors, including labor leader Dolores Huerta, visited communities in California. They discovered that while people are excited about AI, many feel excluded from the process. There is a strong desire for more transparency about how AI is developed and who makes the key decisions.

OpenAI's Evolution

OpenAI began as a nonprofit in 2015 but has since incorporated a for-profit arm. This shift has led to legal scrutiny and a lawsuit from Elon Musk. The company plans to convert its for-profit side into a public benefit corporation, though details remain unclear.

Advisors' Recommendations

The advisors suggest that OpenAI should allocate more resources to its nonprofit side. They recommend focusing on economic opportunities, AI education, and making the organization more accessible to the general public. Additionally, they advocate for a human leader for the nonprofit, emphasizing the importance of this role.

Independence and Open Dialogue

The advisors did not work closely with OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, to maintain the independence of their recommendations. However, they did engage with senior engineers who appeared receptive to making AI development more democratic.

Non-Binding but Influential

While the advisors' report is not binding, it provides a framework for evaluating OpenAI's future actions. They hope OpenAI will use these recommendations to make AI development more inclusive and transparent.