In a plot twist that feels like Silicon Valley’s most unexpected crossover episode, OpenAI just dropped a bombshell by recruiting legendary labor rights icon Dolores Huerta to its philanthropy advisory board. At 95 years young, this farmworkers’ union co-founder is about to bring some serious social justice heat to the world of artificial intelligence.

From Farmworkers to Future Tech

Huerta, who co-founded the first farmworkers union with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s, is now stepping into the high-stakes world of AI governance. Her mission? To ensure that the tech giants don’t turn AI into another playground for corporate exploitation. With just 90 days to make her recommendations, she’s not here to play nice.

A Corporate Transformation with a Twist

OpenAI is trying to transform from a nonprofit research lab to a for-profit powerhouse, and they’ve strategically assembled an advisory board that screams “we’re listening to the people”. Alongside Huerta, the board includes media executives, nonprofit leaders, and even a Republican campaign fundraiser - talk about a diverse lineup.

The Power Play

While Huerta’s advice won’t be legally binding, her presence signals a potential shift towards more socially responsible tech development. As Daniel Zingale puts it, they want to “put the power of AI in the hands of everyday people” - a radical concept in an industry often criticized for its ivory tower mentality.

Stay tuned, because with Dolores Huerta on board, AI’s future just got a whole lot more interesting.