OpenAI, a leader in artificial intelligence development and the creator of ChatGPT, recently witnessed a significant shake-up in its leadership. The board’s decision to remove founder Sam Altman as CEO and Greg Brockman from the board has led to substantial internal discord.
In the wake of Altman’s ouster, Mira Murati initially took over as interim CEO. However, within days, the board replaced her with Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, marking another rapid leadership transition within the company.
The move underscores a significant unrest within the company and raises questions about its future direction.
Today I got a call inviting me to consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to become the interim CEO of @OpenAI. After consulting with my family and reflecting on it for just a few hours, I accepted. I had recently resigned from my role as CEO of Twitch due to the birth of my…
— Emmett Shear (@eshear) November 20, 2023
Over 500 employees of OpenAI have reportedly signed an open letter demanding the resignation of the board, following the controversial ousting of former CEO Sam Altman. They accused the board of undermining the company’s mission and compromising the integrity of their work.
Breaking: 505 of 700 employees @OpenAI tell the board to resign. pic.twitter.com/M4D0RX3Q7a
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) November 20, 2023
Altman’s dismissal from the AI research lab, as reported by numerous sources, came as a shock to many within the industry. The decision has been perceived by some staff members as undermining the company’s mission, sparking a backlash that threatens to destabilize operations at the organization.
In the wake of Altman’s departure, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman, alongside OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, will be joining Microsoft to spearhead a new advanced project. This move has further fueled speculation and tension amongst OpenAI personnel.
The open letter signifies a collective stand by the employees, demonstrating their concern over the board’s decision. The signatories, representing a majority of OpenAI’s workforce, have threatened to resign en masse unless the board steps down.
Some reports suggest that these employees might join Microsoft, following in the footsteps of Altman and Brockman.
