In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has hired Sam Altman, the recently ousted CEO of OpenAI, along with Greg Brockman, another key figure from the AI firm. This move follows a weekend filled with speculation and drama regarding the future of OpenAI, a company known for its groundbreaking work in generative AI, including the creation of the ChatGPT chatbot.
Altman and Brockman’s sudden departures from OpenAI left the AI community in shock. The company’s new interim CEO, former Twitch leader Emmett Shear, has pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding Altman’s dismissal. Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced that Altman and Brockman will be leading a new advanced AI research team.
Despite the upheaval, both Shear and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have affirmed their commitment to their partnership. Microsoft has invested billions in OpenAI and provided the computing power for its AI systems. Nadella expressed his excitement about the new hires on social media, stating he looked forward to working with Shear and the rest of the management team. Altman and Brockman also took to social media, promising to continue their mission and build something new and incredible.
OpenAI revealed that Altman was forced out after a review found he was not consistently candid with the board of directors, leading to a loss of confidence in his leadership. Shear has promised to hire an independent investigator to examine the events leading up to Altman’s dismissal and to deliver a report within 30 days.
Shear also plans to reform the management and leadership team in the wake of the recent departures and to engage in discussions with employees, investors, and customers. He has vowed to drive changes in the organization, including significant governance changes if necessary.
OpenAI’s co-founder, chief scientist, and board member Ilya Sutskever, who played a role in Altman’s ouster, expressed regret for his actions and pledged to do everything he could to reunite the company.
Following his dismissal, Altman sparked speculation about a possible return to OpenAI with a series of tweets. However, the details of what transpired between the announcement of Mira Murati’s interim role on Friday and Shear’s hiring remain unclear.
In the midst of the crisis, one of OpenAI’s safety-focused researchers, Jan Leike, called for the OpenAI board to resign. The board currently includes Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
Shear has expressed his belief in the importance of OpenAI and has previously voiced concerns about the path of artificial intelligence. He has emphasized the need for smart people to take the problem of AI seriously.
Altman, who helped propel ChatGPT to global fame, has become a sought-after voice on the promise and potential dangers of AI. His departure from OpenAI and subsequent hiring by Microsoft has further strengthened the tech giant’s position in the AI field.
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