OpenAI has completed a major recapitalization of its structure, simplifying the link between its for-profit and non-profit entities. The operation marks the creation of theOpenAI Foundationnow holding direct control over the commercial company OpenAI Group PBC. This new configuration places the general interest mission at the heart of the group’s governance, while guaranteeing direct access to considerable resources before the arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI).
An inverted structure: the foundation controls the company
Founded in 2015 as a non-profit organization, OpenAI introduced a commercial entity in 2019 to finance its development. The recapitalization puts an end to this hybrid architecture by consolidating the foundation’s control over the operating company, which becomes a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC).
The OpenAI Foundation currently holds shares valued at 130 billion dollarsan amount that makes it one of the most powerful philanthropic foundations in the world. As the company’s valuation increases, the foundation will obtain additional participations, according to an internal redistribution mechanism called “ratchet mission”aligning economic growth and collective impact.
An initial commitment of 25 billion for AI health and resilience
The OpenAI Foundation will dedicate 25 billion dollars two strategic priorities:
-
Health and medical researchvia the creation of open datasets and the funding of researchers to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and treatments;
-
The resilience of artificial intelligence systemssupporting the development of a technical security layer comparable to that of cybersecurity for the Internet.
This orientation reflects OpenAI’s desire to use its capital to build trust infrastructure around AI and strengthen the systemic security of its uses.
The strategic signal: OpenAI prepares for AGI
Beyond the legal and financial aspects, this recapitalization constitutes a stage of preparation for theera of artificial general intelligence. OpenAI is equipped with an institutional framework capable of absorbing the economic, political and scientific effects of a technology capable of transforming all sectors.
By consolidating ownership between a mission foundation and a public purpose enterprise, the group protects itself against capitalistic or geopolitical capture of AGI, and also creates an anticipated redistribution mechanism of value, placing moral governance on the same level as technological performance. This structural model allows OpenAI to approach the next decade as a global intelligence infrastructureand no longer as a simple software company.
SoftBank and Microsoft: two financial and technological pivots
The recapitalization also paves the way for SoftBank’s $40 billion investmentwhich had conditioned its contribution to the establishment of the new governance model. At the same time, OpenAI has renegotiated its agreement with Microsoftextending their partnership until 2032. Microsoft maintains early access to OpenAI technologies, including after the emergence of an AGI, subject to security safeguards validated by an independent committee. OpenAI retains sovereignty over its hardwarein particular the prototypes resulting from the acquisition of the company founded by Jony Iveformer Apple designer.
The company is also committed to buy 250 billion dollars of computing power to Microsoft, while regaining the freedom to sign agreements with other cloud providers.
Institutional validation after a year of negotiations
The restructuring was carried out in close dialogue with the attorneys general of California and Delaware, who demanded guarantees on the governance and purpose of the new entity. OpenAI affirms that these discussions made it possible to consolidate a “more robust and more transparent” model, ensuring that the initial mission, to benefit all humanity from AGI, remains legally a priority over the logic of profit.
Towards a new generation philanthropy
By endowing a non-profit foundation with a stake in a technology company valued at more than $100 billion, OpenAI is inventing a unique form of algorithmic philanthro-capitalism.
The system preserves the company’s ability to invest massively in research and innovation.
This model, both philanthropic and industrial, positions OpenAI no longer just as a pioneer in generative AI, but as a global institution combining economic power and moral mandate.