OpenAI names members to its nonprofit commission

OpenAI Announces New Nonprofit Commission

OpenAI, creator of transformative AI platforms like ChatGPT, has unveiled the members of its newly formed Nonprofit Commission. This expert group will provide guidance as the company seeks to maximize the societal impact of its philanthropic work. The commission will play a pivotal role in informing OpenAI’s charitable strategies and ensuring its resources are deployed effectively to solve global challenges.

Meet the Nonprofit Commission Advisors

• Dolores Huerta: A renowned labor leader and civil rights activist, Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union and established the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Her advocacy has driven major advances in social justice and community organization.
  
• Monica Lozano: With a distinguished career in education, media, and nonprofit leadership, Lozano has served as CEO of ImpreMedia and College Futures Foundation, championing equitable access to education for underrepresented communities.
  
• Dr. Robert K. Ross: President and CEO of The California Endowment, Dr. Ross has a long track record in public health, providing insight into improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations.
  
• Jack Oliver: Oliver brings decades of financial and philanthropic expertise, advising on strategic resource allocation for impactful nonprofit initiatives.
  

The commission is convened by Daniel Zingale, recognized for his leadership in social justice and public policy.

Commission Goals and Community Engagement

The Nonprofit Commission is designed to advance OpenAI’s mission of ensuring artificial general intelligence (“AGI”) delivers benefits to all people. Its advisors will:

• Guide a transparent community engagement process, ensuring input from impacted communities, nonprofit leaders, and everyday citizens.
• Integrate insights from the fields of health, science, education, and public service, especially within California where OpenAI is headquartered.
• Submit a set of initial findings to OpenAI’s board within 90 days, marking a key milestone in the feedback-driven philanthropic process.

“A guiding principle for this effort will be putting AI to work in service of a flourishing democracy and a thriving, inclusive economy. AI may offer new ways to address challenges long seen as intractable—issues that have stalled progress in communities for far too long.”
– Dr. Robert K. Ross

In the words of Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, OpenAI board member and former CEO of the Gates Foundation: “This commission is a critical step in ensuring OpenAI’s philanthropic efforts are grounded in real-world insight and guided by people who understand how to drive impact. We’ve brought together advisors who’ve spent their lives making a difference, and their counsel will help us deliver on our mission of ensuring AGI benefits as many people as possible.”

Context and Future Directions

The launch of this commission comes at a crucial time as OpenAI transitions toward a for-profit benefit corporation structure, sparking both opportunity and scrutiny regarding the company’s commitment to its founding nonprofit values. Notably, this move follows prominent legal disputes highlighting concerns about the balance between profit and public mission.

“A guiding principle for this effort will be putting AI to work in service of a flourishing democracy and a thriving, inclusive economy. AI may offer new ways to address challenges long seen as intractable—issues that have stalled progress in communities for far too long.”
“A guiding principle for this effort will be putting AI to work in service of a flourishing democracy and a thriving, inclusive economy. AI may offer new ways to address challenges long seen as intractable—issues that have stalled progress in communities for far too long.”