B Lab

As we navigate the complexities of AI's impact on society, the move to a benefit corporation model by OpenAI raises critical questions about accountability and responsibility. In Andrew Kassoy’s latest op-ed for The New York Times, he analyzes whether this structure will suffice to ensure that AI companies prioritize the public good alongside profitability. With #AI technology advancing rapidly, the stakes are higher than ever. Is the benefit corporation model sufficient to ensure that AI companies operate responsibly and serve the public good? 💬 We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the poll or in the comments below. 📰 Read Andrew's op-ed: https://nyti.ms/3Yn22yz #benefitcorporation #aiethics #artificialintelligence

What happens when a company like OpenAI—now worth as much as Goldman Sachs—shifts from nonprofit to for-profit? Can it still uphold its mission to "benefit all of humanity," or will profits take precedence over purpose? In his recent op-ed for The New York Times, Andrew Kassoy, co-founder and co-chair of B Lab Global, dives deep into the challenges ahead for OpenAI. He explores why becoming a public #benefitcorporation is just the first step in holding AI companies accountable to society, workers, and the planet—and why OpenAI needs more than good intentions to fulfill its potential for positive impact. From setting rigorous standards for transparency to drawing lessons from purpose-driven companies like Patagonia, Andrew lays out how OpenAI could lead the way in ethical AI—but only if it commits to real accountability. "Every day, by applying these same principles, thousands of certified #BCorps show that business can be a force for good to create high-quality jobs, rebuild strong communities and solve environmental crises — all while making money for investors. Surely OpenAI, with its ingenuity and newfound resources, can match their efforts." — Andrew Kassoy. 📰 Curious how AI can benefit society without sacrificing ethics? Read the full op-ed here: https://nyti.ms/3Yn22yz #ArtificialIntelligence #AIEthics #OpenAI #BCorp #Sustainability B Lab UK B Lab U.S. & Canada B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand B Lab Africa B Lab Europe Sistema B

What truly defines a “good” business? Often, companies focus on their external impact—highlighting products, PR statements, and commitments made to customers and shareholders. But what about the people inside the company, those who keep it running? 🤔 In the Forces for Good podcast episode, “How can companies build and sustain an engaged workforce?” Bernard Gouw of B Lab Global joined experts from #BCorps Culture Amp and Innate Motion to unpack how empathy, feedback, and authentic human connections are key to building thriving, purpose-driven workplaces. 🔗 Listen now: Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3YdHkkH Apple: https://apple.co/3YeHlEX

🏞️🌱 Whether you're trekking in the Himalayas or diving in the Great Barrier Reef, now it’s easier to do so responsibly! We’re excited to announce that #BCorpCertification has been officially recognized as meeting Travalyst’s rigorous sustainability criteria—a major milestone in raising global awareness of #BCorps within the tourism industry and expanding access to responsible travel options. Unlike certifications that focus only on environmental factors, B Corp Certification evaluates the full spectrum of a company's impact—social, economic, and environmental—driving change towards a more equitable and sustainable tourism sector. With this recognition, travelers can now easily identify and support Certified B Corporations using tools offered by Travalyst’s partners. Next time you travel, seek out the #BCorp seal to ensure your journey leaves a positive impact! 🔗 Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3U1hCgM Jared M. Meyers B Tourism Sally Davey

💡 Can purpose-driven businesses really challenge #BigTech? In a recent article for Fortune, Mark Weinstein explores how major industries, including Big Tech, have moved away from their visionary beginnings, prioritizing profits over the needs of users. But there’s hope—and it comes from grassroots movements.  Just as regenerative farming and renewable energy have provided viable alternatives to Big Agriculture and Big Energy, purpose-driven business models, like #BCorps, hold the potential to reshape the tech landscape by prioritizing user respect and empowerment. But this transformation relies heavily on consumers choosing to support ethical alternatives. "The driving force behind every movement combating the amoral giants of an industry—whether it’s Big Ag, Big Energy, or Big Tech—is the commitment to a healthier, safer, and empowering future for us, our kids, and future generations." — Mark Weinstein, Tech Entrepreneur Interested in how purpose-driven businesses can reshape the tech landscape? Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/erCeRvJK #BCorp #EthicalBusiness #BusinessForGood #ImpactEconomy #Sustainability

Over the past months, we’ve been carefully reviewing the +16,000 pieces of qualitative feedback from our second consultation. We’re now excited to unveil the latest updates to our Impact Topics, designed to enhance business impact and better align with the needs and aspirations of our diverse global community. These changes reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and our shared vision for a more sustainable and equitable future. Swipe through to discover the key updates, and click the link below to dive into the full report! 📊🔍 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e2PTs_Sj #BCorp #BCorpMovement #Sustainability

Join us on October 9th for the 10th annual Mission Forward event, hosted by Mission Partners in partnership with The Chronicle of Philanthropy! 🌍 Our Co-Lead Executive, Sarah Schwimmer, will share insights on how CEOs can use their influence to take a stand on critical issues, the importance of prioritizing mission above all else, and the responsibility that comes with this position of trust. This virtual half-day conference will bring together top thinkers from social impact, media, business, philanthropy, and civic engagement to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Come join us and be inspired to take action! 🔗 Register at the link below.

In a world where no business exists in isolation, companies thrive when they learn from, support, and grow alongside one another. This collective mindset drives real, lasting change, and it’s why interdependence is at heart of the #BCorp community. 🎥 Meet Diana G. Torres, Manager of Global Community & Programs at B Lab Global, as she highlights the new opportunities for peer-to-peer learning that our evolving standards will bring to the #BCorp community. These standards are not just a benchmark for companies to meet, but a powerful tool for collaboration. By sharing knowledge and experiences, B Corps can leverage the collective intelligence of the community to amplify their impact and drive greater positive change across industries and regions. 👉 Watch the full clip to learn how Diana and the team at B Lab are fostering this spirit of collaboration to unlock the full potential of the #BCorp movement and help businesses across the globe elevate their collective impact: https://bit.ly/3XTdtwE

We’re grateful for the overwhelming support for the draft standards—86% of you agree that they reflect what it takes for a business to meet high social, environmental, and governance performance. This collective feedback gives us the confidence to move forward with finalizing the standards, while we continue to listen closely to areas for improvement. 👉 Swipe through to discover the key insights we’ve received and how we’re addressing them. 🔍 Want to dive deeper? Explore the full report to see all the details: https://lnkd.in/e2PTs_Sj #BCorp #BCorpMovement #Sustainability

How can we unlock the power of markets to catalyze systemic change? 🤔 As we look ahead to this year’s SOCAP Global conference, we explore in our latest blog post why it’s crucial for impact-driven investors and purpose-led businesses to unite in building an investment ecosystem where purpose-driven companies can truly thrive. By harnessing market forces, we can redefine the role of business in society and catalyze lasting change. SOCAP24, operating at the intersection of money and meaning, will dive deep into the theme of systems change, urging the investment community to move beyond surface-level solutions and drive the structural shifts needed for real impact. B Lab Global will join impact investors and #BCorps to showcase how the #BCorpmovement is already leading the way, proving that profit and purpose can successfully coexist to generate long-term social and environmental benefits. 👉 Read the full post to learn more about the power of markets at SOCAP24 and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TRLkVk #SOCAP24 #ImpactInvesting #StakeholderEconomy #SystemicChange #ESG