Sam Altman’s return as OpenAI’s CEO concludes a turbulent week of uncertainty and upheaval. From his initial ousting as CEO to his stint at Microsoft and the formation of a new AI division, the landscape has undergone significant shifts. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step account of the unfolding events, from last week until the present. It encompasses the involvement of key individuals and their perspectives, chronicling the developments within the corridors of OpenAI.
The Ups and Downs of Sam Altman’s Journey
- 1:58 AM · Nov 18, 2023
The saga commenced with OpenAI’s official blog announcing the dismissal of Sam Altman and the appointment of Mira Murati, OpenAI’s CTO, as the interim CEO to guide the organization.
The decision to remove Altman was backed by several board members, including Adam D’Angelo (Quora CEO), Helen Toner (CSET AI Policy Research), Tasha McCauley (GeoSim CEO), and Ilya Sutskever (OpenAI Chief Scientist).
In a collective statement, the board expressed concerns about Altman’s lack of consistent transparency in communications, impeding the board’s oversight. Consequently, they cited a loss of confidence in his ability to lead OpenAI effectively.
Furthermore, the board revoked OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman from the position of chairman but retained his involvement within the company.
- 3:16 AM · Nov 18, 2023
Within an hour, Sam Altman took to X (formerly Twitter) to bid farewell to OpenAI, sparking widespread upheaval. However, Altman refrained from delving into the details behind his dismissal, leaving much speculation about the events that led to his departure.
- 5:39 AM · Nov 18, 2023
Several hours later, Greg Brockman took to X to express his perspective on the OpenAI board’s decision, ultimately stating “I quit” in a show of solidarity with Altman.
- 10:12 AM · Nov 18, 2023
Amidst the unfolding events, Greg Brockman provided insights via a tweet, shedding light on the developments. As per Brockman, Sam Altman received the news of his dismissal from OpenAI during a Google Meet call orchestrated by Ilya Sutskever and other board members, excluding Brockman.
Following Altman’s ousting, Sutskever also informed Brockman of his removal from the board, although he would remain within the company.
Interestingly, Mira Murati, the interim CEO, only became aware of her new role on the preceding night, while the rest of the management was informed around the same time as Altman’s departure. Reportedly, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, blindsided by the board’s decision, as Microsoft holds a 49% stake in OpenAI and has made substantial investments in the startup, per Bloomberg’s report.
- 4:55 AM · Nov 18, 2023
Satya Nadella swiftly addressed concerns via X (formerly Twitter), reassuring investors and customers by stating, “We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI, granting us full access to resources essential for our innovation agenda and a promising product roadmap. We are dedicated to our partnership with Mira and the team.“
Notably, Nadella’s tweet made no reference to Sam Altman or Greg Brockman.
- 10:28 AM · Nov 20, 2023
During the tumultuous period, The Information revealed that Emmett Shear, co-founder, and former CEO of Twitch, had been appointed as the interim CEO of OpenAI, replacing Mira Murati. Emmett Shear confirmed this development on his X (formerly Twitter) account, expressing his acceptance of the offer and outlining intentions to restructure the management and leadership within OpenAI.
- 1:23 PM · Nov 20, 2023
In a stunning turn of events, a few hours later, Satya Nadella made a surprising announcement on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We’re thrilled to announce that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, alongside their colleagues, will be spearheading a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft.“
The announcement received widespread acclaim from industry veterans and observers, applauding Satya’s decision to bring on board Sam and Greg to lead a new AI division within Microsoft.
- 3:36 PM · Nov 20, 2023
Within an hour, Mira Murati took to X (formerly Twitter), rallying support with the statement, “OpenAI is nothing without its people,” igniting a wave of resonance across various quarters. Notably, prominent OpenAI employees echoed the sentiment in their tweets, underscoring substantial backing for Sam Altman from within the OpenAI team.
- 6:45 PM · Nov 20, 2023
Later in the day, Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientist at OpenAI and a pivotal board member involved in Sam Altman’s ousting, made a notable reversal. In a tweet, he expressed profound “regret for his involvement in the board’s actions, emphasizing his love for the collective achievements of OpenAI. He pledged efforts to reunify the company, leaving many intrigued about the catalyst behind his change in stance.“
A report from The Wall Street Journal disclosed that Anna Brockman, Greg Brockman’s wife, emotionally appealed to Ilya, shedding tears and pleading with him to reconsider his position, potentially influencing his decision.
- 7:18 PM · Nov 20, 2023
Following Ilya Sutskever’s shift in stance, a significant upheaval occurred as nearly all OpenAI employees rebelled against the board’s decision, issuing a collective demand for resignations. In a stunning turn of events, Ilya Sutskever, alongside 700+ OpenAI staff, signed a compelling letter urging the reinstatement of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. The letter served as an ultimatum to the board, threatening a mass exodus to Microsoft if their demands weren’t met.
“The letter reprimanded the board for what was perceived as incompetence, lack of judgment, and disregard for OpenAI’s mission and its employees.”It conveyed the employees’ inability to continue working under such leadership.
We, the undersigned, may opt to resign from OpenAI and align with the recently announced Microsoft subsidiary led by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.
Microsoft has provided assurance that positions are available for all OpenAI employees at this new subsidiary if we decide to transition. This step will be taken promptly unless the current board members resign, and the board appoints two new lead independent directors, namely Bret Taylor and Will Hurd, while also reinstating Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.“
- 10:50 AM · Nov 21, 2023
The board found themselves in a precarious situation, engaging in deliberations involving key members such as Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Mira Murati, Jason Kwon, Brad Lightcap, Emmett Shear, Adam D’Angelo, and others.
Meanwhile, report from The Verge indicated uncertainty from Satya Nadella regarding the definitive status of Sam and Greg joining Microsoft, despite his earlier announcement.
During an interview with Bloomberg TV, when questioned about their status as Microsoft employees, Satya responded, “So they’re all in the process of joining.” In a separate interview with CNBC, Satya affirmed their commitment to OpenAI and Sam, irrespective of the arrangement. He emphasized the need for more stability, advocating for governance changes and expressing concerns about changes occurring without proper communication.“
In a report by The Verge, indications surfaced suggesting Sam Altman’s persistent efforts to reclaim his position as OpenAI CEO. Sam Altman’s tweet further underscored this intent, stating, “We have more unity, commitment, and focus than ever before. We are all going to work together in some capacity, and I’m incredibly enthusiastic. One team, One mission.”
- 11:33 AM · Nov 22, 2023
The tumultuous saga finally concluded on November 22, as OpenAI formally announced “an agreement in principle for Sam Altman’s return as CEO, alongside a reformed initial board comprising Bret Taylor as Chair, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo. The organization stated ongoing collaboration to finalize the details, expressing gratitude for the patience shown during the process.”
With Sam Altman reinstated as CEO, Greg Brockman also returns to OpenAI. Notably, Helen Toner, Tasha McCauley, and Ilya Sutskever have been removed from the board. Reports hint at the formation of a new nine-member board in the future, with potential inclusion of Sam Altman and Satya Nadella among the expanded members.
Simultaneously, Satya Nadella took to X and highlighted the importance of fostering a robust partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, underscoring the necessity for stable and effective governance moving forward.
“We find encouragement in the alterations made to the OpenAI board. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A FIRST ESSENTIAL STEP ON A PATH TO MORE STABLE, WELL-INFORMED, AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE. Sam, Greg, and I have discussed and agreed that they have a pivotal role to play alongside the OAI leadership team in ensuring…” HTTPS://T.CO/DJO6FUZ6T9 – Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 22, 2023
- 1:11 PM · Nov 22, 2023
Approximately an hour later, Greg Brockman posted a picture alongside OpenAI members, which was retweeted by the company account with the caption: “OpenAI is nothing without its people.”
- 2:13 PM · Nov 22, 2023
A recent New York Times report delves into the circumstances preceding Sam Altman’s removal. Among various tensions, a research paper authored by Helen Toner, a board member involved in Altman’s ousting, came to light.
The paper criticized OpenAI’s safety approach while commending Anthropic, a major competitor known for their AI chatbot, Claude. Altman expressed concerns about potential harm to OpenAI’s reputation, particularly amidst ongoing FTC investigations into the organization’s training data.
During the past week at OpenAI, disagreements surfaced over the appointment of directors to fill departed roles, leading to discord among board members. Additionally, Ilya expressed concerns about Altman’s alleged lack of transparency and an excessive focus on expansion without adequately balancing progress and AI safety.
The sudden conflict and turmoil within OpenAI, a company widely regarded as a significant venture in recent times, have captured attention. As further details emerge in the upcoming days, more insights into the events leading to this uncertain situation will likely unfold. Stay tuned for updates!
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