The New York Times: After Zhao Changpeng pleaded guilty last November, he frequently interacted with the CEO of OpenAI to strategize his transition into the AI and biotechnology sectors

ChainCatcher news, according to The New York Times, Binance founder Zhao Changpeng is still actively preparing for a transition into the AI and biotechnology sectors after pleading guilty last November. Insiders revealed that Zhao communicated via text with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the end of last year, discussing the challenges faced by startups in global expansion.

It is reported that Zhao and Altman had met a year prior. During the leadership struggle at OpenAI last November, the two reestablished contact. Additionally, Zhao had dinner in December in Los Angeles with Gu Ronghui, a professor of computer science at Columbia University and co-founder of the blockchain security company CertiK, which is backed by Binance. Gu wrote in a court letter that Zhao mentioned he had communicated with Altman, stating, "They both believe that AI will greatly assist in technological development and the advancement of human knowledge." Zhao also indicated that he is seeking investment to support large data centers for AI applications.

Last month, Zhao announced the launch of an online education platform, Giggle Academy, and expressed interest in investing in AI and biotechnology on social media. In court documents, he stated that he hopes to fund small research laboratories to use blockchain technology to cure diseases and benefit billions of people worldwide.

Zhao pleaded guilty last November to violating anti-money laundering regulations and was sentenced to four months in prison by a judge on Tuesday local time. Prosecutors had recommended a three-year prison sentence, while defense attorneys requested probation. Despite facing imprisonment, the $33 billion crypto mogul seems confident about his future transformation path.