OpenAI's philanthropic arm, the OpenAI Foundation, plans to invest at least $1 billion over the next year across life sciences, jobs, AI resilience and community programmes.
The company describes the move as the next phase following last autumn's recapitalisation and the start of work toward a previously announced $25 billion long-term commitment.
The Foundation's initial focus is life sciences, with three stated priorities: AI applied to Alzheimer's research, expanded public health data access, and faster progress on diseases with high mortality and high burden.
Jacob Trefethen will lead the life sciences programme, joining from Coefficient Giving, where he oversaw more than $500 million in grants to science and health organisations.
A second strand, AI Resilience, will address the impact of AI on children and young people, biosecurity measures for detection and mitigation of biological threats, and independent safety testing and standards for AI models.
Wojciech Zaremba, a co-founder of OpenAI, will head the AI Resilience programme.
The Foundation also plans community investments and will announce a final grant wave under its People-First AI Fund.
Anna Makanju joins in mid-April to lead civil society efforts, Robert Kaiden will serve as chief financial officer, and Jeff Arnold as director of operations.
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"Our mission is to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity," said Bret Taylor, chair of OpenAI's board, framing the Foundation's work as pairing pharmaceutical and biological research with AI tools.
The recap
- OpenAI Foundation will invest at least $1 billion next year.
- Work targets life sciences, jobs, AI resilience, and community programs.
- Wojciech Zaremba and Jacob Trefethen to lead resilience and life sciences.