According to a report by the Financial Times on Tuesday, OpenAI is considering granting special voting rights to its non-profit board to protect the authority of its directors amid an unsolicited takeover bid by Elon Musk. CEO Sam Altman and the board are exploring new governance measures as the company shifts to a standard for-profit model. Although OpenAI has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters, the proposed move aims to deter future hostile takeover endeavors, notably from Musk, the co-founder who has since distanced himself from the organization.

OpenAI recently turned down a $97.4 billion acquisition offer led by Musk, reaffirming its stance as a non-saleable entity and rejecting any forthcoming bids as insincere. Musk's bid reflects his ongoing efforts to preserve OpenAI's non-profit status amidst its requirement for increased funding to remain competitive in the artificial intelligence sector.

If adopted, the special voting rights would empower the non-profit board to counter major investors, including prominent supporters such as Microsoft and SoftBank, thereby securing decision-making authority.