Sept 26 (Reuters) – OpenAI Chair Bret Taylor announced on Thursday that the company’s board has contemplated compensating CEO Sam Altman with equity, although no final decision has been reached. Taylor clarified that specific figures regarding Altman’s potential equity compensation have not yet been discussed.

This development follows a report on Wednesday that OpenAI is exploring plans to restructure its core operations into a for-profit benefit corporation, a move that would enable Altman to receive equity for the first time within the for-profit framework. Altman, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, has previously opted not to take a stake in the company, citing the need for a board majority comprised of disinterested directors without financial interests in OpenAI.

The recent restructuring discussions come amidst significant personnel changes at the company, with Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati and senior research executives Barret Zoph and Bob McGrew abruptly announcing their departures on Wednesday. During a conference in Italy on Thursday, Altman dismissed any connection between these personnel changes and the ongoing restructuring efforts.

OpenAI is reportedly in negotiations to raise $6.5 billion, with expected investors including venture capital firms Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures, as well as major public companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple. The company’s potential valuation of $150 billion hinges on the successful execution of the corporate restructuring, which would entail lifting the current cap on investor returns.

Under the proposed for-profit structure, the organization would no longer be governed by the current non-profit board, which has previously overseen Altman’s brief ouster from the company last November. The non-profit entity will continue to exist and retain a minority stake in the new for-profit corporation.