Fact check: Who owns chat GBT

1. Summary of the results

ChatGPT is definitively owned by OpenAI, a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2015 ^[1]. The company was co-founded by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and other tech figures, though Musk left the board in 2018 and no longer has any stake in the company ^[2]. The current ownership structure includes:

• Co-founders like Sam Altman (current CEO), Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever
• Investors including Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important aspects about OpenAI's ownership structure need to be highlighted:

• The company transitioned from a non-profit to a "capped-profit" model in 2019 ^[1]
• Microsoft has made substantial investments totaling over $13 billion, including:
• $1 billion in 2019
• $2 billion subsequently
• A reported $10 billion in January 2023 ^[4]
• OpenAI is currently valued at approximately $260 billion ^[5]
• The company maintains a unique dual structure that attempts to balance ethical AI development with commercial interests ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The simple question "Who owns ChatGPT?" might lead to misconceptions about the ownership structure. Important clarifications:

• While Microsoft is often associated with ChatGPT due to its massive investments, it does not own the company outright - it is merely the exclusive cloud provider and strategic partner ^[4]
• Microsoft is currently negotiating to extend its partnership beyond 2030 ^[5]
• The ownership structure is intentionally complex, with a "capped-profit" model that differs from traditional corporate structures ^[1]

This complex ownership structure serves different interests:

• For Microsoft: Securing access to future AI technologies ^[5]
• For OpenAI: Maintaining balance between commercial viability and ethical AI development ^[3]