who owns open ai

OpenAI is owned through a complex hybrid structure consisting of a nonprofit parent company, OpenAI Inc., which oversees the overall direction and maintains control, and a for-profit subsidiary, OpenAI LP, responsible for commercial operations. Microsoft is a significant investor, owning a 49% stake in OpenAI LP with certain rights to profits and licensing, while other investors hold the remaining stake. The nonprofit retains majority control and autonomy within this structure to maintain alignment with OpenAI's mission of developing safe and beneficial AI. OpenAI was founded by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, and others in 2015 as a nonprofit but transitioned to this capped-profit model to attract substantial capital, particularly from Microsoft. The CEO is Sam Altman, who is also one of the founders. Despite the investment and partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI remains independent and governed by its nonprofit board.