Latest news with #Zingale
18-07-2025
- Business
OpenAI's advisory board calls for continued and strengthened nonprofit oversight
OpenAI should continue to be controlled by a nonprofit because the artificial intelligence technology it is developing is 'too consequential' to be governed by a corporation alone. That is the message from an advisory board convened by OpenAI to give it recommendations about its nonprofit structure — delivered in a report released Thursday, along with a sweeping vision for democratizing AI and reforming philanthropy. 'We think it's too important to entrust to any one sector, the private sector or even the government sector,' said Daniel Zingale, the convener of OpenAI's nonprofit commission and a former adviser to three California governors. 'The nonprofit model allows for what we call a common sector,' that facilitates democratic participation. The recommendations are not binding on OpenAI, but the advisory commission, which includes the labor organizer Dolores Huerta, offers a framework that may be used to judge OpenAI in the future, whether or not they adopt it. In the commission's view, communities that are already feeling the impacts of AI technologies should have input on how they are developed, including how data about them is used. But there are currently few avenues for people to influence tech companies who control much of the development of AI. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, started in 2015 as a nonprofit research laboratory and has since incorporated a for-profit company with a valuation that has grown to $300 billion. The company has tried to change its structure since the nonprofit board ousted its CEO Sam Altman in Nov. 2023. He was reinstated days later and continues to lead OpenAI. It has run into hurdles escaping its nonprofit roots, including scrutiny from the attorney generals in California and Delaware, who have oversight of nonprofits, and a lawsuit by Elon Musk, an early donor to and founder of OpenAI. Most recently, OpenAI has said it will turn its for-profit company into a public benefit corporation, which must balance the interests of shareholders and its mission. Its nonprofit will hold shares in that new corporation, but OpenAI has not said how much. Zingale said Huerta told the commission their challenge was to help make sure AI is a blessing and not a curse. To grapple with those stakes, they envision a nonprofit with an expansive mandate to help everyone participate in the development and trajectory of AI. 'The measure of this nonprofit will be in what it builds, who it includes, and how faithfully it endures to mission and impact," they wrote. The commission toured California communities and solicited feedback online. They heard that many were inspired by OpenAI's mission to create artificial intelligence to benefit humanity and ensure those benefits are felt widely and evenly. But, Zingale said many people feel they are in the dark about how it's happening. 'They know this is profoundly important what's happening in this 'Age of Intelligence,' but they want to understand better what it is, how it's developed, where are the important choices being made and who's making them?' he said. Zingale said the commission chose early on not to interact with Altman in any way in order to maintain their independence, though they quote him in their report. However, they did speak with the company's senior engineers, who they said, 'entered our space with humility, seriousness, and a genuine desire to understand how their work might translate into democratic legitimacy.' The commission proposed OpenAI immediately provide significant resources to the nonprofit for use in the public interest. For context, the nonprofit reported $23 million in assets in 2023, the most recent year that its tax filing is available. The commission recommend focusing on closing gaps in economic opportunity, investing in AI literacy and creating an organization that is accessible to and governed by everyday people. 'For OpenAI's nonprofit to fulfill its mandate, it should commit to more than just doing good - it should commit to being known, seen, and shaped by the people it claims to serve,' they wrote. The commission suggested opening a rapid response fund to help reduce economic strains now. Zingale said they specifically recommended funding theater, art and health. 'We're trying to make the point that they need to dedicate some of their resources to human to human activities,' he said. The commission also recommended setting up a requirement that a human lead the nonprofit, which Zingale said is a serious recommendation and 'a sign of the times." ___
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
OpenAI's advisory board calls for continued and strengthened nonprofit oversight
OpenAI should continue to be controlled by a nonprofit because the artificial intelligence technology it is developing is 'too consequential' to be governed by a corporation alone. That is the message from an advisory board convened by OpenAI to give it recommendations about its nonprofit structure — delivered in a report released Thursday, along with a sweeping vision for democratising AI and reforming philanthropy. 'We think it's too important to entrust to any one sector, the private sector or even the government sector,' said Daniel Zingale, the convener of OpenAI's nonprofit commission and a former adviser to three California governors. 'The nonprofit model allows for what we call a common sector,' that facilitates democratic participation. The recommendations are not binding on OpenAI, but the advisory commission, which includes the labor organiser Dolores Huerta, offers a framework that may be used to judge OpenAI in the future, whether or not they adopt it. In the commission's view, communities that are already feeling the impacts of AI technologies should have input on how they are developed, including how data about them is used. But there are currently few avenues for people to influence tech companies who control much of the development of AI. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, started in 2015 as a nonprofit research laboratory and has since incorporated a for-profit company with a valuation that has grown to $300 billion. The company has tried to change its structure since the nonprofit board ousted its CEO Sam Altman in November 2023. He was reinstated days later and continues to lead OpenAI. It has run into hurdles escaping its nonprofit roots, including scrutiny from the attorney generals in California and Delaware, who have oversight of nonprofits, and a lawsuit by Elon Musk, an early donor to and founder of OpenAI. Most recently, OpenAI has said it will turn its for-profit company into a public benefit corporation, which must balance the interests of shareholders and its mission. Its nonprofit will hold shares in that new corporation, but OpenAI has not said how much. Zingale said Huerta told the commission their challenge was to help make sure AI is a blessing and not a curse. To grapple with those stakes, they envision a nonprofit with an expansive mandate to help everyone participate in the development and trajectory of AI. 'The measure of this nonprofit will be in what it builds, who it includes, and how faithfully it endures to mission and impact," they wrote. The commission toured California communities and solicited feedback online. They heard that many were inspired by OpenAI's mission to create artificial intelligence to benefit humanity and ensure those benefits are felt widely and evenly. But, Zingale said many people feel they are in the dark about how it's happening. 'They know this is profoundly important what's happening in this 'Age of Intelligence,' but they want to understand better what it is, how it's developed, where are the important choices being made and who's making them?' he said. Zingale said the commission chose early on not to interact with Altman in any way in order to maintain their independence, though they quote him in their report. However, they did speak with the company's senior engineers, who they said, 'entered our space with humility, seriousness, and a genuine desire to understand how their work might translate into democratic legitimacy.' The commission proposed OpenAI immediately provide significant resources to the nonprofit for use in the public interest. For context, the nonprofit reported $23 million in assets in 2023, the most recent year that its tax filing is available. The commission recommend focusing on closing gaps in economic opportunity, investing in AI literacy and creating an organisation that is accessible to and governed by everyday people. 'For OpenAI's nonprofit to fulfill its mandate, it should commit to more than just doing good - it should commit to being known, seen, and shaped by the people it claims to serve,' they wrote. The commission suggested opening a rapid response fund to help reduce economic strains now. Zingale said they specifically recommended funding theatre, art and health. 'We're trying to make the point that they need to dedicate some of their resources to human to human activities,' he said. The commission also recommended setting up a requirement that a human lead the nonprofit, which Zingale said is a serious recommendation and 'a sign of the times."
The Mainichi
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
OpenAI's advisory board calls for continued and strengthened nonprofit oversight
(AP) -- OpenAI should continue to be controlled by a nonprofit because the artificial intelligence technology it is developing is "too consequential" to be governed by a corporation alone. That is the message from an advisory board convened by OpenAI to give it recommendations about its nonprofit structure -- delivered in a report released Thursday, along with a sweeping vision for democratizing AI and reforming philanthropy. "We think it's too important to entrust to any one sector, the private sector or even the government sector," said Daniel Zingale, the convener of OpenAI's nonprofit commission and a former adviser to three California governors. "The nonprofit model allows for what we call a common sector," that facilitates democratic participation. The recommendations are not binding on OpenAI, but the advisory commission, which includes the labor organizer Dolores Huerta, offers a framework that may be used to judge OpenAI in the future, whether or not they adopt it. In the commission's view, communities that are already feeling the impacts of AI technologies should have input on how they are developed, including how data about them is used. But there are currently few avenues for people to influence tech companies who control much of the development of AI. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, started in 2015 as a nonprofit research laboratory and has since incorporated a for-profit company with a valuation that has grown to $300 billion. The company has tried to change its structure since the nonprofit board ousted its CEO Sam Altman in Nov. 2023. He was reinstated days later and continues to lead OpenAI. It has run into hurdles escaping its nonprofit roots, including scrutiny from the attorney generals in California and Delaware, who have oversight of nonprofits, and a lawsuit by Elon Musk, an early donor to and founder of OpenAI. Most recently, OpenAI has said it will turn its for-profit company into a public benefit corporation, which must balance the interests of shareholders and its mission. Its nonprofit will hold shares in that new corporation, but OpenAI has not said how much. Zingale said Huerta told the commission their challenge was to help make sure AI is a blessing and not a curse. To grapple with those stakes, they envision a nonprofit with an expansive mandate to help everyone participate in the development and trajectory of AI. "The measure of this nonprofit will be in what it builds, who it includes, and how faithfully it endures to mission and impact," they wrote. The commission toured California communities and solicited feedback online. They heard that many were inspired by OpenAI's mission to create artificial intelligence to benefit humanity and ensure those benefits are felt widely and evenly. But, Zingale said many people feel they are in the dark about how it's happening. "They know this is profoundly important what's happening in this 'Age of Intelligence,' but they want to understand better what it is, how it's developed, where are the important choices being made and who's making them?" he said. Zingale said the commission chose early on not to interact with Altman in any way in order to maintain their independence, though they quote him in their report. However, they did speak with the company's senior engineers, who they said, "entered our space with humility, seriousness, and a genuine desire to understand how their work might translate into democratic legitimacy." The commission proposed OpenAI immediately provide significant resources to the nonprofit for use in the public interest. For context, the nonprofit reported $23 million in assets in 2023, the most recent year that its tax filing is available. The commission recommend focusing on closing gaps in economic opportunity, investing in AI literacy and creating an organization that is accessible to and governed by everyday people. "For OpenAI's nonprofit to fulfill its mandate, it should commit to more than just doing good - it should commit to being known, seen, and shaped by the people it claims to serve," they wrote. The commission suggested opening a rapid response fund to help reduce economic strains now. Zingale said they specifically recommended funding theater, art and health. "We're trying to make the point that they need to dedicate some of their resources to human to human activities," he said. The commission also recommend setting up a requirement that a human lead the nonprofit, which Zingale said is a serious recommendation and "a sign of the times."
Politico
18-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
‘A beacon to the field': OpenAI advisers urge robust role for nonprofit
The company's board of directors thanked the commission and the community leaders who gave input in a statement, saying it was valuable in ensuring OpenAI's technology benefits everyone. 'As we carry this mission forward, we remain committed to listening, learning, and building in partnership with those on the front lines of change,' as part of the board's commitment to the nonprofit, the statement said. Vision for the nonprofit OpenAI announced last year it would make its nonprofit parent company a shareholder of a for-profit parent company, and tasked the commission with advising on how the new nonprofit could be most impactful. The company later changed course in May amid public pressure, saying its nonprofit would instead oversee a for-profit public benefit corporation. 'Even if those external things hadn't been in motion … we still would have landed on 'a nonprofit is a good thing in AI. We need more of them,'' Zingale said. 'Putting the nonprofit in charge is even better.' Bonta is already responsible for regulating the state's charities and making sure their resources aren't misused. But the commission — whose report repeatedly references the importance of the California and Delaware attorney generals' oversight over the nonprofit, due to where it's headquartered and incorporated — thinks Bonta should get more involved in the AI industry's development, much of which is housed in his state. 'We think it should be over AI more broadly, not just the one who chose to be a nonprofit,' said Zingale. 'We'd like to see that kind of oversight more evenly distributed across the sector.' The commission's vision for the nonprofit is far more ambitious than that of a traditional grant-making organization. It argues OpenAI's nonprofit should fund various democratic, economic and social causes to prepare society for AI's future disruptions, while also nurturing human pursuits in arts and culture. Those ideas span investments in statewide advocacy networks to gather public input on AI deployment, initiatives focused on algorithmic fairness in the workplace, apprenticeship pipelines within unions and AI literacy programs at libraries. They also want support for local museums, influencer cohorts and offline spaces. Among the more risk-focused proposals are that OpenAI fund environmental groups exploring the harms of AI, as well as independent safety research and efforts to pressure-test AI systems by mimicking hackers. Behind the scenes The commission has been holding meetings and taking written comments from California nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based institutions and others over the past three months. Altogether, more than 500 people and 100 organizations gave their feedback, including the YMCA, the Clinton Foundation and the Greenlining Institute.
San Francisco Chronicle
17-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
OpenAI's advisory board calls for continued and strengthened nonprofit oversight
OpenAI should continue to be controlled by a nonprofit because the artificial intelligence technology it is developing is 'too consequential' to be governed by a corporation alone. That is the message from an advisory board convened by OpenAI to give it recommendations about its nonprofit structure — delivered in a report released Thursday, along with a sweeping vision for democratizing AI and reforming philanthropy. 'We think it's too important to entrust to any one sector, the private sector or even the government sector,' said Daniel Zingale, the convener of OpenAI's nonprofit commission and a former adviser to three California governors. 'The nonprofit model allows for what we call a common sector,' that facilitates democratic participation. The recommendations are not binding on OpenAI, but the advisory commission, which includes the labor organizer Dolores Huerta, offers a framework that may be used to judge OpenAI in the future, whether or not they adopt it. In the commission's view, communities that are already feeling the impacts of AI technologies should have input on how they are developed, including how data about them is used. But there are currently few avenues for people to influence tech companies who control much of the development of AI. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, started in 2015 as a nonprofit research laboratory and has since incorporated a for-profit company with a valuation that has grown to $300 billion. The company has tried to change its structure since the nonprofit board ousted its CEO Sam Altman in Nov. 2023. He was reinstated days later and continues to lead OpenAI. It has run into hurdles escaping its nonprofit roots, including scrutiny from the attorney generals in California and Delaware, who have oversight of nonprofits, and a lawsuit by Elon Musk, an early donor to and founder of OpenAI. Most recently, OpenAI has said it will turn its for-profit company into a public benefit corporation, which must balance the interests of shareholders and its mission. Its nonprofit will hold shares in that new corporation, but OpenAI has not said how much. Zingale said Huerta told the commission their challenge was to help make sure AI is a blessing and not a curse. To grapple with those stakes, they envision a nonprofit with an expansive mandate to help everyone participate in the development and trajectory of AI. 'The measure of this nonprofit will be in what it builds, who it includes, and how faithfully it endures to mission and impact," they wrote. The commission toured California communities and solicited feedback online. They heard that many were inspired by OpenAI's mission to create artificial intelligence to benefit humanity and ensure those benefits are felt widely and evenly. But, Zingale said many people feel they are in the dark about how it's happening. 'They know this is profoundly important what's happening in this 'Age of Intelligence,' but they want to understand better what it is, how it's developed, where are the important choices being made and who's making them?' he said. Zingale said the commission chose early on not to interact with Altman in any way in order to maintain their independence, though they quote him in their report. However, they did speak with the company's senior engineers, who they said, 'entered our space with humility, seriousness, and a genuine desire to understand how their work might translate into democratic legitimacy.' The commission proposed OpenAI immediately provide significant resources to the nonprofit for use in the public interest. For context, the nonprofit reported $23 million in assets in 2023, the most recent year that its tax filing is available. The commission recommend focusing on closing gaps in economic opportunity, investing in AI literacy and creating an organization that is accessible to and governed by everyday people. 'For OpenAI's nonprofit to fulfill its mandate, it should commit to more than just doing good - it should commit to being known, seen, and shaped by the people it claims to serve,' they wrote. The commission suggested opening a rapid response fund to help reduce economic strains now. Zingale said they specifically recommended funding theater, art and health. 'We're trying to make the point that they need to dedicate some of their resources to human to human activities,' he said. The commission also recommend setting up a requirement that a human lead the nonprofit, which Zingale said is a serious recommendation and 'a sign of the times." ___
