OpenAI Board Confronts Governance Scrutiny Amidst $135 Billion Valuation

OpenAI's board of directors is reportedly holding its latest meeting, as indicated by a tweet from Bojan Tunguz, a Senior Staff Software Engineer at NVIDIA. The meeting comes at a pivotal time for the artificial intelligence leader, following a significant corporate restructuring in October 2025 and ongoing public scrutiny regarding its unique governance model. Discussions are expected to center on mission alignment, financial oversight, and strategic implications of its partnership with Microsoft.

The company completed a major recapitalization in October 2025, solidifying a structure where the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation retains control over the for-profit OpenAI Group PBC. This restructuring positioned the nonprofit with an equity stake in the for-profit entity valued at approximately $130 billion, making it a substantially resourced philanthropic organization. This move was intended to ensure that the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) continues to benefit all humanity.

However, this corporate setup has drawn criticism from various groups, including a coalition named "EyesOnOpenAI," which publicly challenged OpenAI's governance in October 2025. The coalition expressed concerns that the arrangement might allow charitable assets to be used for private gain, potentially overshadowing the public mission. These discussions highlight the complex balance OpenAI navigates between its foundational nonprofit mission and its commercial endeavors.

The latest board meeting likely addresses these governance concerns, particularly the perceived overlap between nonprofit and for-profit interests. The recapitalization also saw Microsoft acquire a 27% stake in OpenAI Group PBC, valued at $135 billion, further intertwining the two entities. This partnership includes a renegotiated agreement granting Microsoft long-dated intellectual property and cloud rights, alongside a $250 billion commitment from OpenAI for Azure services.

As OpenAI continues its rapid expansion and development, including recent product announcements like GPT-5-Codex at DevDay 2025, the board's role in maintaining ethical oversight and strategic direction remains crucial. The outcomes of such internal deliberations are vital for the company's future trajectory and its commitment to responsible AI development amidst growing industry and public interest.