OpenAI appoints BlackRock executive Adebayo Ogunlesi to its board, leveraging his infrastructure investment expertise to bolster AI development. Ogunlesi's addition aligns with OpenAI's expansion goals, including new data centers and energy resources. The move underscores OpenAI's focus on innovation and global leadership in artificial intelligence infrastructure and economic growth.
OpenAI has added Adebayo Ogunlesi, a senior executive at BlackRock Inc., to its board of directors. Ogunlesi, renowned for his expertise in infrastructure investments, brings a wealth of experience crucial for OpenAI’s ambitions to expand data centers and energy resources, vital for advancing artificial intelligence capabilities.
Before joining BlackRock, Ogunlesi founded Global Infrastructure Partners, which was acquired for $12 billion, solidifying his status as a billionaire. OpenAI highlighted that his guidance will be instrumental in navigating the global transformation of AI infrastructure and driving economic innovation.
This appointment comes as OpenAI advocates for significant public and private sector investments in AI infrastructure. The company recently outlined an ambitious economic blueprint emphasizing the need for a robust infrastructure to maintain the U.S.'s competitive edge in AI development over global rivals.
Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s expanding 10-member board, which includes prominent figures like CEO Sam Altman, Quora’s Adam D’Angelo, and Instacart’s Fidji Simo. His addition also coincides with discussions to transition OpenAI from a nonprofit organization to a public benefit corporation, a move poised to attract investors while navigating regulatory complexities.
The appointment underscores OpenAI’s commitment to leveraging strategic expertise as it drives AI advancements and positions itself for long-term global leadership.
