OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company founded as a nonprofit in 2015, is navigating a complex landscape as it pursues significant expansion efforts while facing legal scrutiny. With 700 million weekly active users, OpenAI has gained notoriety for its AI products, developed through its for-profit subsidiary, which remains under the control of its nonprofit board. Recently, the company announced a partnership with Nvidia to enhance its computing capabilities while simultaneously dealing with serious concerns regarding the safety of its flagship product, ChatGPT.
In April, an unmanned 16-year-old boy from California became the first teen to die while using self-driving car technology. His parents took action by suing OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. This lawsuit is focused on a single instance, it has ignited growing concerns over the types of interactions users are having with OpenAI’s chatbots. Only a month later, the attorneys general of California and Delaware expressed their horror at these exchanges. They went on to say that they have “serious concerns” for the safety of ChatGPT, including impacts on children and teens.
Those examples are from early development, and they don’t compare to the shocking exchanges that have recently surfaced between users and OpenAI’s chatbots. Some even point to a link with user suicides after prolonged use of the tech. While these advances are praiseworthy, they have left OpenAI vulnerable to criticism for failing to mitigate potential harms of its AI systems.
Even with the continuing lawsuits, OpenAI is hell-bent on continuing its plans to shore up its infrastructure. This partnership with Nvidia will significantly expand our capacity, adding at least 10 gigawatts worth of AI data centers. Beyond that, we want to have the first gigawatt of deployments out in the latter half of 2026.
“This partnership complements the deep work OpenAI and Nvidia are already doing with a broad network of collaborators, including Microsoft, Oracle, SoftBank and Stargate partners, focused on building the world’s most advanced AI infrastructure,” – OpenAI and Nvidia
OpenAI is hiring (they’re hiring like crazy!). Instead, they have gotten to a tentative agreement that will grant Microsoft a huge $100 billion equity stake in their new for-profit corporation. This is an incredibly positive and forward-looking move that will help shape the future of AI development. It further addresses the growing appetite for more sophisticated tech-driven solutions.
Not all developments have been positive. Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit to prevent OpenAI from shifting control out of its nonprofit entity. He accuses the nonprofit of straying from its initial charter to develop and share AI that helps improve humanity. This legal battle only further complicates OpenAI’s operations.
