04:09 AM EST, 02/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Microsoft ( MSFT )-backed (MSFT) OpenAI is considering giving special voting rights to the board of its non-profit arm in order to empower its directors to fend off unsolicited takeover attempts, the Financial Times reported Tuesday, citing people with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Giving the board special voting powers would allow it to overrule other investors, including Microsoft ( MSFT ) and Japan's SoftBank, in the face of takeover offers, such as Elon Musk's recent $97.4 billion bid, the report said.

On Friday, the nonprofit's board rejected Musk's offer.

The nonprofit arm of OpenAI is in the process of converting into a for-profit company even as its leaders try to make sure they maintain control of the company once the change takes place, the report said.

OpenAI did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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