OpenAI has announced the appointment of Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi to its Board of Directors to advance artificial general intelligence (AGI) safely and responsibly.
Ogunlesi, a seasoned leader in infrastructure investment and corporate finance, brings decades of experience navigating global markets and fostering innovation.
As the Founding Partner, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi leads one of the world’s premier platforms for infrastructure investment.
His role as Senior Managing Director at BlackRock showed his expertise in guiding large-scale enterprises through dynamic and complex global landscapes.
“Bayo has an exceptional track record of driving success in organizations with global reach, expertly navigating complex and dynamic commercial landscapes. We’re honored to welcome him to the Board,” said Bret Taylor, Chair of OpenAI’s Board.
Ogunlesi’s appointment adds strategic depth to OpenAI’s Board and it will complement the company’s existing expertise in AI safety, cybersecurity, governance, and economic strategy.
His perspective will be pivotal as OpenAI scales its AI infrastructure, drives technological innovation, and aligns its efforts with global economic and societal growth.
Commenting on his new role, Ogunlesi said “The rapid advancement and development of AI offers a unique opportunity to build a better future. Thoughtful strategies and investment in infrastructure will be key to unlocking AI’s full potential and delivering its benefits responsibly. I’m excited to contribute to this effort and look forward to being a part of the OpenAI Board.”
Ogunlesi’s distinguished career spans decades, including 23 years at Credit Suisse where he served in senior leadership roles such as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer of the Investment Banking Division. As Head of the Global Investment Banking Division, he was instrumental in steering critical investment strategies.
Beyond finance, Ogunlesi’s legal acumen is well-established, having practiced at Cravath, Swaine & Moore and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
He has also held academic roles at Harvard and Yale, teaching transnational investment projects.
Ogunlesi’s academic credentials are equally impressive, with a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Oxford University, and both a J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University.
He currently serves on the boards of BlackRock, Topgolf Callaway Brands, Kosmos Energy Holdings, and Terminal Investment Limited, and has previously served as Lead Director of Goldman Sachs Group.
His appointment signifies OpenAI’s commitment to integrating world-class expertise across diverse domains to oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies that shape the future responsibly.