OpenAI: White Men 'Bret, Larry, and Adam' Commit to Building a Diverse Board

In a recent blog post, OpenAI announced its new board of directors, featuring a message from CEO Sam Altman. He emphasized that board members Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo will focus on enhancing governance, promoting diverse perspectives, and overseeing an independent review of recent developments.

The newly appointed board consists of Bret Taylor, former Salesforce CEO; economist Larry Summers; and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, alongside a non-voting observer from Microsoft, OpenAI's largest investor and partner.

The announcement prompted criticism regarding the lack of diversity, particularly following the removal of the previous board's only two female members: Helen Toner from the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology and tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley. Toner publicly announced her resignation, noting that the incoming board will oversee a comprehensive independent review to identify appropriate next steps.

AI researcher Sasha Luccioni raised a valid concern on LinkedIn, questioning the absence of women on the board despite the involvement of a major tech company. Meanwhile, tech journalist Kara Swisher bluntly urged for the inclusion of women in OpenAI’s governance.

Media outlets highlighted the stark gender imbalance following these board changes, suggesting that it mirrors the precarious status of women in AI.

Elissa Fink, former CMO of Tableau and current board member at multiple tech firms, expressed her surprise at the new board’s composition. She argued that in an era where AI profoundly influences our future, diversity is essential—not just beneficial. Fink believes the board should encompass a variety of ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds to ensure unbiased, inclusive outcomes.

Audrey MacLean, acting chair on the board of enterprise AI company Aible, echoed this sentiment. She stressed that AI governance must stem from diverse perspectives as a means of implementing effective checks and balances.

Kay Firth-Butterfield, CEO of Good Tech Advisory and former head of AI at the World Economic Forum, also weighed in, stating that a board should reflect societal diversity, especially for a company crafting technology that influences humanity's future. She highlighted the importance of including voices from outside the U.S. to ensure a well-rounded perspective in AI development, given the predominant influence of white men in shaping online data.

While acknowledging that OpenAI could have started with a more diverse board, Firth-Butterfield emphasized the importance of meticulous talent sourcing to foster an inclusive selection of new board members. She urged the organization to maintain transparency throughout the selection process.

The discussion surrounding OpenAI's board intensified following Altman's ousting, which had previously gone largely unexplored. Media attention quickly shifted to the motivations of board members Toner, McCauley, and D’Angelo, particularly regarding their ties to the Effective Altruism movement. Notably, only Toner and McCauley were removed, leaving D’Angelo in his position, leading to unresolved questions about the reasons for Altman's dismissal and the board's dynamic. Toner clarified on Twitter that their decision was rooted in the board's ability to supervise the company effectively, countering speculation about their motivations.