OpenAI’s nonprofit arm showed revenue of $45,000 last year, even though company is worth billions

Technology
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 7:06 pm EDT

Key Points

  • Financial Transparency Concerns: OpenAI, valued at $86 billion, has faced scrutiny due to a lack of financial transparency. The nonprofit parent’s recent IRS filing revealed a revenue of only $44,485 for 2022, raising questions about the startup’s financial reporting, especially considering its high valuation.
  • Nonprofit Status and Confusion: Despite being created as a nonprofit in 2015, OpenAI launched a capped-profit entity in 2019, allowing it to raise billions in external funding. This has created confusion about OpenAI’s status, as it exhibits attributes of both a nonprofit and a tech startup, leading to questions about whether it should continue under the nonprofit umbrella.
  • Leadership Turmoil and Governance Issues: Recent turmoil, including the firing and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman, has raised questions about OpenAI’s governance and leadership. The abrupt firing and subsequent chaos have prompted calls for greater transparency and governance enhancements, especially considering OpenAI’s ambitious mission related to artificial general intelligence.

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup valued at $86 billion, faces scrutiny over its financial transparency. The nonprofit parent reported a mere $44,485 in revenue for 2022, a stark contrast to its valuation and claims that it generated $28 million last year. While OpenAI launched a capped-profit entity in 2019, allowing for external funding, its nonprofit status creates confusion about financial reporting. Recent turmoil, including CEO Sam Altman’s brief firing and reinstatement, has raised questions about OpenAI’s future as a nonprofit and the need for greater transparency in its financial disclosures.

For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/12/openai-nonprofit-arm-45000-in-2022-revenue-company-worth-billions.html