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OpenAI Quietly Scrapped a Promise To Disclose Key Documents To the Public - Slashdot

Jan 24, 2024 - slashdot.org
OpenAI, a nonprofit research lab co-founded by Elon Musk, has reneged on its transparency pledge by refusing to provide its governing documents to the public. Despite initially stating that these documents, along with financial statements and conflict of interest rules, would be available for public review, the company has since changed its policy. When WIRED requested these records, OpenAI provided only a limited financial statement, omitting the majority of its operations.

This lack of transparency comes in the wake of internal upheaval at OpenAI. In November, the board fired CEO Sam Altman, accusing him of endangering the company's mission to ensure AI benefits all humanity. However, an employee and investor revolt led to Altman's reinstatement and the removal of most board members. The new board has promised to review the crisis and implement structural changes to regain stakeholder trust.

Key takeaways:

  • OpenAI, founded by Elon Musk and other tech entrepreneurs, initially pledged transparency and public involvement in its operations, unlike other tech giants.
  • Despite stating that its governing documents, financial statements, and conflict of interest rules were available for public review, OpenAI declined to provide these documents when requested by WIRED.
  • The company's spokesperson, Niko Felix, stated that OpenAI aligns its practices with industry standards, which since 2022, includes not publicly distributing additional internal documents.
  • OpenAI's lack of transparency could obscure information about its recent internal crisis, including the firing and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman, and the overhaul of its board of directors.
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