In a stunning turn of events that shook the world of artificial intelligence, Sam Altman, former president of Y Combinator, was ousted as the CEO of OpenAI, a leading AI startup responsible for creations like ChatGPT, GPT-4, and DALL-E 3. This decision sent shockwaves throughout the industry, leading to a series of resignations and internal conflicts. To unravel the drama that unfolded, we present a detailed timeline of the events surrounding Sam Altman’s firing and its repercussions.
November 16: Ilya Sutskever’s Call:
November 16: Ilya Sutskever’s Call: The saga began on November 16 when Ilya Sutskever, Chief Scientist at OpenAI, reached out to Sam Altman via a message on X (formerly Twitter). Sutskever scheduled a call for the following day, setting in motion a series of unforeseen events.
Mira Murati Informed: According to Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s CTO and interim CEO, Mira Murati was informed on Thursday night that Sam Altman would be removed from his position. This information was kept under wraps until later.
November 17: Brockman’s Demotion:
November 17: Brockman’s Demotion: On November 17, Brockman received a message from Sutskever requesting a quick call. During this call, he was informed that he was being removed from the board’s chairman position but would retain his role as president. Simultaneously, Sam Altman was fired from his role as CEO.
Public Announcement: OpenAI made an official announcement about these developments on their blog, publicly acknowledging the executive shake-up. This news was met with shock and bewilderment.
All-Hands Meeting: Later that day, OpenAI organized an all-hands meeting where Sutskever defended Altman’s removal. He emphasized that this action was necessary to protect OpenAI’s mission of ensuring AI benefits humanity.
Microsoft’s Statement: Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO and a major investor in OpenAI, released a statement expressing commitment to their partnership and technology innovation. This statement underscored Microsoft’s dedication to the future of AI.
Greg Brockman’s Resignation: In response to the unfolding events, Greg Brockman resigned from OpenAI. He shared his thoughts and reasons for leaving in a memo that was later published on X.
Senior OpenAI Researchers Resign: Following Brockman’s resignation, three senior OpenAI researchers, including Director of Research Jakub Pachocki and Head of Preparedness Aleksander Madry, also chose to resign, further destabilizing the organization.
November 18: “Not in Response to Malfeasance”:
November 18: “Not in Response to Malfeasance”: OpenAI’s COO Brad Lightcap addressed the internal turmoil in a memo, stating that the board’s decision was not related to malfeasance, financial matters, safety, or security/privacy practices. Instead, it was attributed to a communication breakdown between Sam Altman and the board.
OpenAI’s Funding at Risk: Reports indicated that the planned sale of OpenAI employee shares, which would have valued the startup at approximately $86 billion, might be in jeopardy due to the recent events. The future of this sale, led by Thrive Capital, was uncertain.
Altman’s New Venture: Sam Altman reportedly started discussing plans for a new venture with potential investors. This raised questions about his future endeavors, possibly involving an AI chip startup.
Investors Advocate for Altman’s Return: Investors, deeply dissatisfied with the developments, began pressuring OpenAI’s board to reinstate Sam Altman as CEO. Microsoft, being a significant player, was reportedly sympathetic to this cause.
Board Agrees to Reverse Course — in Principle: Amid mounting pressure, the board tentatively agreed to step down and allow Altman and Brockman to return. However, they missed a crucial deadline, leaving many OpenAI staff uncertain about the company’s future.
November 19: Altman to Meet at OpenAI HQ:
November 19: Altman to Meet at OpenAI HQ: Sam Altman was expected to meet with OpenAI executives at the company’s San Francisco headquarters, where efforts were underway to reinstate him as CEO. Whether Greg Brockman would join remained uncertain.
Board Negotiations Hit a Snag: Despite the push from OpenAI executives, including Brad Lightcap and Mira Murati, the board resisted reinstating Altman. The directors expressed concerns about who would replace them and were actively evaluating potential candidates, including Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor.
Altman Out, Shear In: A report indicated that Sam Altman would not return as CEO of OpenAI. Instead, the company appointed Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, as interim CEO, replacing Murati.
November 20: Altman Joins Microsoft:
November 20: Altman Joins Microsoft: Sam Altman, along with Greg Brockman and colleagues, announced that they would lead a new AI research team at Microsoft. Nadella extended an invitation to other OpenAI staff to join Microsoft, ensuring they would have the necessary resources.
Sutskever’s Apology: Ilya Sutskever publicly expressed regret for his role in removing Altman, pledging to do everything in his power to reunite the company and resolve the turmoil.
Employees Threaten to Resign: A remarkable development occurred when nearly 500 of OpenAI’s approximately 770 employees, including Sutskever, published a letter threatening to quit unless the startup’s board resigned and reinstated Altman. The number of signatories later exceeded 650.
Altman and Brockman Consider Return: Reports suggested that Altman’s move to Microsoft was not finalized, and both Altman and Brockman were open to returning to OpenAI. Their willingness hinged on whether the remaining board members would step aside.
OpenAI Board Considers Merger: In a surprising turn, OpenAI’s board approached Dario Amodei, CEO of rival large-language model developer Anthropic, about a potential merger between the two companies. This move was part of an attempt to persuade Amodei to replace Altman as CEO, but he declined the offer.
Sam Altman’s Exit from OpenAI: What’s Next for AI’s Future? Stay Updated with Now in AI Tech
In the whirlwind of events surrounding Sam Altman’s departure from OpenAI, the world of artificial intelligence has been left in a state of shock and anticipation. As we eagerly await further developments in this unfolding saga, it’s clear that the future of OpenAI and its pivotal role in shaping the AI landscape remains uncertain. With so much at stake, now more than ever, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest updates and insights in the field of AI technology. To stay updated on this gripping narrative and other AI-related stories, be sure to follow Now in AI Tech for the latest news and analysis. Don’t miss out on the next chapter in this compelling AI story; stay connected with us for all things AI.
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