OpenAI, the forerunner in artificial intelligence and the creator of ChatGPT, is currently in a state of internal disarray. More than 500 employees have called for the resignation of the company’s board in a bold move, following the unexpected ousting of CEO Sam Altman.
Adding fuel to the fire, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman and OpenAI co-founder Brockman would be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced project. This development has intensified speculation and tension among OpenAI employees.
We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. We look forward to getting to know Emmett…
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 20, 2023
The open letter serves as a rallying cry for the employees, voicing their discontent with the board’s decision. The signatories, making up a majority of OpenAI’s workforce, have issued an ultimatum – they will collectively resign if the board doesn’t step down.
There are rumors that these dissatisfied employees may follow Altman and Brockman to Microsoft.
This development has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, given OpenAI’s prominent position in AI research and development.
According to sources, Altman was removed by the OpenAI board on November 17 for reasons related to transparency and communication with the board.
This decision has not only surprised OpenAI staff but also investors, including Microsoft, who were reportedly unaware of the board’s decision until the last minute.
The staff’s dissatisfaction was articulated in a strongly worded letter, which criticized the board’s actions as jeopardizing OpenAI’s mission and undermining the integrity of the company.
The letter demanded the board’s resignation and reinstatement of Altman as CEO.
Notably, Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist and a board member, also signed the letter, expressing regret over his involvement in the board’s decision and affirming his commitment to reunifying the company.
I deeply regret my participation in the board’s actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we’ve built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company.
— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) November 20, 2023
In an immediate response to Altman’s removal, Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, was appointed as interim CEO.
However, this decision was short-lived as the board, in another surprising move, replaced Murati with Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, as the new interim CEO.
