California Attorney General Rob Bonta Probes OpenAI’s Nonprofit Commitments
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, focusing on its adherence to nonprofit commitments. Bonta's inquiry comes amidst growing public and regulatory scrutiny over OpenAI's transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, raising questions about its original mission to benefit humanity.
OpenAI, once dedicated to ensuring AI's broad benefits, has faced criticism for shifting its focus toward profit. This shift has led to calls from various stakeholders, including tech ethicists and lawmakers, for OpenAI to realign with its founding principles. Bonta's office is examining whether the company's actions align with its stated goals and legal obligations as a nonprofit.
In response, OpenAI has established a nonprofit commission to guide its operations and ensure they remain in line with its humanitarian objectives. However, a recent legislative move in California, initially aimed at blocking OpenAI's for-profit conversion, was transformed into an aircraft lien bill, highlighting the complexities and political maneuvering surrounding tech regulation.
