Bret Taylor, Chairman of OpenAI's board, has articulated a profound personal commitment to actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence, stating, "I could not fathom sitting on the sidelines while this technology was impacting my life and not helping shape it in some way. I want to be in the middle of it. That's what it means to be a builder." This sentiment, shared on social media, underscores his drive to engage directly with the transformative technology. His statement highlights a core philosophy of active participation in technological evolution.
Taylor brings a distinguished career in technology to his current role, having co-created Google Maps and served as CTO of Facebook (now Meta Platforms), co-CEO of Salesforce, and chairman of Twitter's board. This extensive background as a builder and leader in pivotal tech companies positions him as a key figure in the AI landscape. His experience spans decades of significant innovation and corporate leadership.
He assumed the chairmanship of OpenAI's board in November 2023, following the dramatic leadership changes that saw CEO Sam Altman briefly ousted and then reinstated. Taylor's primary focus in this governance role is to ensure the company's mission of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits humanity remains central. He has emphasized the importance of improving OpenAI's governance structure and diversifying its board.
Despite also being the founder of Sierra, his own AI startup focused on conversational AI agents, Taylor views his role at OpenAI as distinct and complementary. He has stated that his work at OpenAI is centered on governance, not day-to-day operations, and he can recuse himself from decisions with potential overlaps. Taylor believes AI agents are a transformative force, predicting the emergence of numerous significant enterprise and consumer AI companies.
His dedication reflects a broader conviction that AI is too impactful to be observed from a distance. Taylor's "builder" ethos continues to guide his involvement, aiming to contribute to the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies. This active engagement is critical as OpenAI navigates the complexities of advanced AI research and its societal implications.