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OpenAI is facing pressure to diversify its board. It can start by looking outside of Silicon Valley

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: OpenAI, valued at around $90 billion, faces criticism for its board's lack of diversity. This scrutiny intensified following a corporate upheaval that led to the brief ousting and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman and the departure of the board's only women directors
• The board, criticized for comprising three white men, two of whom are Silicon Valley figures and one an East Coast economist with a controversial past, is seen as misaligned with OpenAI's mission to benefit all of humanity.

🔭 The context: OpenAI's release of ChatGPT marked a significant milestone in AI development, impacting numerous industries. However, the company's current governance structure, especially its board composition, has sparked concerns over diversity and representation
• This issue is particularly pressing given AI's growing role in critical aspects of life, such as employment, healthcare, and personal finance.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The lack of diversity in AI governance at OpenAI is seen as a potential hindrance to creating AI systems that are robust, responsible, and reflective of the global majority
• This issue is crucial as AI increasingly influences decisions that affect the lives of diverse populations worldwide.

⏭️ What's next: OpenAI has acknowledged the need for a more diverse board and is reportedly committed to adding new members. The focus is on ensuring diverse perspectives in its governance to align with its mission of benefiting all humanity
• Meanwhile, there is a growing call for more stringent government legislation to address the potential harms of AI technologies.

💬 One quote: "If we’re trying to achieve technology that reflects the viewpoints of predominantly rich, white men in Silicon Valley, then we’re doing a great job at that. But I would argue that we could do better." – Margaret Mitchell, Chief Ethics Scientist at Hugging Face.

📈 One stat: OpenAI's estimated valuation is as high as $90 billion, highlighting its significant impact in the tech industry and AI development.

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