OpenAI has appointed Adebayo Ogunlesi, a senior managing director at BlackRock and infrastructure investment expert, to its board of directors. The move comes as the AI company navigates its transition to a for-profit structure and emphasizes the critical role of AI infrastructure development.
- Ogunlesi joins OpenAI's board following BlackRock's $12 billion acquisition of his firm, Global Infrastructure Partners
- The appointment adds infrastructure and finance expertise as OpenAI pushes for expanded data center and energy resources
- This addition brings OpenAI's board to 10 members
In the latest addition to its revamped leadership, OpenAI has brought on Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi to its board of directors. The appointment adds significant infrastructure and financial expertise to the AI company's governance at a pivotal moment in its corporate evolution.
As OpenAI continues to advocate for large-scale data centers and sustainable energy solutions, Ogunlesi’s leadership and connections in the infrastructure sector could be critical to securing resources and partnerships. The move also reflects OpenAI’s broader efforts to position itself competitively against global AI players like China.
Ogunlesi, who joined BlackRock after the asset management firm acquired his Global Infrastructure Partners for $12 billion in 2023, brings over two decades of experience in infrastructure investment and corporate finance to OpenAI's boardroom.
"Thoughtful strategies and investment in infrastructure will be key to unlocking AI's full potential and delivering its benefits responsibly," Ogunlesi said in OpenAI's announcement. His experience could prove particularly valuable – in October, he spearheaded a joint $30 billion GIP-BlackRock fund, backed by Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Abu Dhabi, focused on data center and power infrastructure development.
The timing of Ogunlesi's appointment is notable as OpenAI works to restructure itself from a nonprofit research organization into a public benefit corporation. This transition, while attractive to investors, requires careful navigation of regulatory and stakeholder interests. The move has already drawn scrutiny, including legal challenges from co-founder Elon Musk and attention from Delaware's attorney general.
Ogunlesi joins a substantially reformed board that now includes chair Bret Taylor, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and tech industry leaders like Instacart CEO Fidji Simo. The diverse expertise of the expanded 10-member board reflects OpenAI's evolution from a research-focused nonprofit to a commercial entity aiming to balance innovation with responsible development.
The infrastructure veteran's appointment also aligns with OpenAI's recent Economic Blueprint, which emphasized the need for substantial investments in computing resources to maintain U.S. competitiveness in AI development. His experience managing large-scale infrastructure projects could help OpenAI navigate the complex landscape of AI infrastructure development and deployment.
Wall Street veterans know Ogunlesi as a skilled dealmaker who has advised influential companies at critical junctures, including serving as lead independent director at Goldman Sachs following the 2008 financial crisis. This experience in managing complex transitions could prove valuable as OpenAI charts its course as a commercial entity while maintaining its commitment to responsible AI development.