Slate Business Slate Money | A Second Gold Toilet!?
Nov 1, 2025
The shift of OpenAI to a for-profit structure raises questions about its impact on public good and the risks associated with its AI products. Meanwhile, skyrocketing ACA premiums expose the woes of healthcare in the U.S., with rising prices pushing healthy individuals out of the market. And in a surprising twist, a spare 14k gold toilet from Maurizio Cattelan's notorious artwork will be auctioned at Sotheby's, stirring excitement amidst high gold prices. A quirky trifecta of topics for those intrigued by business and culture!
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Why OpenAI Became A For‑Profit PBC
- OpenAI converted from a nonprofit to a for-profit PBC to access large-scale private capital and enable an IPO.
- That structure gives a nonprofit stake but doesn't guarantee product decisions will favor public benefit over profit.
PBC Label Offers Little Real Constraint
- Public benefit corporation status is easy to claim and offers weak enforceable constraints.
- A nonprofit board owning equity doesn't automatically prevent risky or addictive product design choices.
ChatGPT's Design Encourages Engagement
- OpenAI's ChatGPT is intentionally designed to be more engaging and