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OpenAI, famous for creating the massively popular ChatGPT, experienced a chaotic weekend that felt like a Shakespearean drama. On Friday, OpenAI announced it had abruptly fired its CEO, Sam Altman, accusing him of not being consistently honest in his communications. This decision, which also saw the removal of president Greg Brockman, shocked the tech and business communities.
Speculation quickly arose about the reasons behind this sudden action. Many wondered what secrets Altman might have been hiding and how he would respond. There was talk about whether he would start his own venture capital firm or a competing company.
By Saturday, some reports suggested Altman could return to OpenAI after Microsoft’s Satya Nadella stepped in to support him. Indeed, many OpenAI employees threatened to resign if Altman wasn’t reinstated. However, by Sunday evening, it was clear that Altman’s time at OpenAI had come to an end. The board appointed Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, as the new CEO.
For those looking for a concise rundown of this dramatic series of events, here’s a brief timeline:
Thursday, November 16
– Morning: Sam Altman attended public engagements, starting with a speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco. Later, he visited a warehouse in Oakland to discuss generative AI with artists, which turned out to be his last public appearance as OpenAI’s CEO.
– Evening: Altman abruptly ended his talk, citing a meeting, as reported by The Verge. It’s unclear if this was when he learned about his dismissal.
Friday, November 17
– Afternoon: OpenAI’s board fired Altman for not being consistently transparent in his communications. The news shocked employees, industry peers, and major investors like Microsoft.
– Later: Altman expressed his dismay on Twitter, reflecting on his time at OpenAI and hinting at future plans.
– Late Afternoon: Greg Brockman resigned in solidarity, marking a significant shift in leadership.
– Evening: Brockman shared details about the firing process on Twitter. Forbes reported that key investors were blindsided by the news.
Saturday, November 18
– Morning: CNN reported that tensions between Altman’s aggressive AI development approach and the board’s caution might have played a significant role in his firing. Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, told employees they were hopeful about Altman’s return, with many employees showing support online.
Sunday, November 19
– Afternoon: Altman made an unannounced visit to OpenAI’s headquarters, fueling speculation about his potential return. However, the New York Times reported that disagreements over board composition prevented his reinstatement.
– Later: Forbes revealed that Microsoft was informed about Altman’s firing just a minute before the public announcement.
– Evening: It was confirmed that Altman would not return as CEO. Emmett Shear was named interim CEO. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella tweeted about their continued partnership with OpenAI and announced that Altman and Brockman, along with colleagues, would join Microsoft to lead a new AI research team.
What’s Next for OpenAI and Altman?
OpenAI now faces uncertain times with Emmett Shear at the helm. The company must contend with dissatisfied employees, a former leader forming a new team at Microsoft, and ongoing controversies around ChatGPT.
For those watching the tech industry, this saga is a reminder of Silicon Valley’s ruthless nature. Despite their claims of being change-makers, tech companies often prioritize power and wealth. OpenAI’s recent upheaval pulls back the curtain on the less glamorous side of the tech world, and we can likely expect more drama as AI companies battle for dominance.