OpenAI’s current independent board has provided two instances of alleged lack of transparency as the cause for firing co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, leading to internal upheaval within the company.
On Sunday night, Ilya Sutskever introduced Emmett Shear as the new interim CEO, replacing the previous interim CEO, Mira Murati, who had taken over from Altman just two days earlier. The abrupt announcement, made during a brief meeting at one of OpenAI’s San Francisco offices, prompted a partial walkout by disgruntled employees. Expecting Altman’s reinstatement, staff experienced a rollercoaster of announcements regarding his status, culminating in Shear’s appointment.
Chief scientist and co-founder Sutskever, responsible for Altman’s removal, conveyed the news of Shear’s appointment during the meeting, appearing subdued. Staff reacted negatively to the news, adding to the weekend’s uncertainties.
The explanations provided by Sutskever, involving Altman assigning the same project to two individuals and allegedly offering conflicting opinions about a team member to two board members, were met with scepticism and discontent among employees. The prevailing belief among staff is that the board executed a straightforward “coup,” rendering their current justifications irrelevant.
Following the meeting, an open letter, signed by OpenAI leadership, including Murati and Sutskever, protested the board’s decision and garnered support from over 90% of employees by Monday. The letter threatened mass resignations unless Altman was reinstated, new board members were appointed, and existing board members stepped down.
Altman, in negotiations for a potential return while holding an interim position at Microsoft, remains a focal point. Microsoft, OpenAI’s major investor, has invested at least $10 billion in the company. Reports suggest growing discontent among employees, with the possibility of mass resignations looming.
The current board, consisting of Adam D’Angelo, Tasha McCauley, Helen Toner, and Setskever, is under scrutiny. Despite Setskever signing the open letter, he remains technically part of the board. Murati, initially a source of anger, has shifted sentiments by aligning with Sutskever and expressing her intention to leave the company if Altman is not reinstated.
The situation raises questions about the cohesion of top players within OpenAI, with some speculating on potential collaborations elsewhere and others doubting Sutskever’s forgiveness and prospects, particularly at Microsoft.
