At a recent all-hands meeting, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman clarified that there are no current plans for him to receive a “giant equity stake” in the company, dispelling rumors about his potential compensation.
The meeting, held Thursday, came amidst ongoing discussions about restructuring OpenAI into a for-profit entity.
Altman, who has no equity in the company he co-founded in 2015, responded to investor concerns about this issue but reiterated that no decisions have been made.
“There are no current plans here,” he stated, addressing employees via video.
OpenAI’s Chairman, Bret Taylor, later confirmed to CNBC that while the board has discussed compensating Altman with equity, no figures have been decided.
The meeting followed a pivotal decision by the OpenAI board to explore transitioning the company from its original nonprofit roots toward a for-profit structure. If the restructuring proceeds, the nonprofit segment would continue as a separate entity, ensuring the company’s core mission of AI safety remains intact.
This period of change has coincided with significant executive departures. Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, who briefly served as interim CEO, announced her exit after six and a half years with the company. On the same day, Research Chief Bob McGrew and Vice President of Research Barret Zoph also revealed their departures. However, Altman emphasized that these resignations were unrelated to the company’s potential restructuring, stating they were more about individuals seeking “new chapters” in their careers.
Murati shared a memo explaining her decision to step away for personal exploration, while Altman expressed optimism about the leadership transition during a public appearance at Italian Tech Week.
“I hope OpenAI will be stronger for it, as we are for all of our transitions.” She said.
OpenAI is currently pursuing a major funding round that could value the company at over $150 billion. Investors like Thrive Capital and Tiger Global are reportedly interested in participating, with the funding round described as “very oversubscribed.” CFO Sarah Friar shared that investor enthusiasm remains high, even amidst the leadership changes and potential restructuring.
