Sam Altman returns as CEO of OpenAI in a surprising and chaotic triumph for Microsoft. His comeback occurs in less than five days after being fired, triggering a back-and-forth drama that kept Silicon Valley and the global artificial intelligence industry on edge.
Image credit: Sam Altman regresa como CEO de OpenAI en victoria para Microsoft - Bloomberg Leadership Reshuffle and Investigation The initial board will be led by Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce Inc., and will include Larry Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, and Adam D'Angelo, co-founder and CEO of Quora Inc. The decision to reinstate Altman, who has also been publicly endorsed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, represents a significant victory for the tech giant, which collaborated with other investors to overturn Altman's removal.
The new OpenAI board is not yet finalized, and its primary priority is to select up to nine new directors, according to anonymous sources close to the negotiations. Altman agreed not to take a seat on the board initially and will undergo an internal investigation into the conduct that led to his dismissal.
Navigating Turbulence The swift reversal in the decision to fire Altman could appease investors and reduce the threat of an employee exodus. However, it raises questions about the future of OpenAI and other artificial intelligence startups, which seek to balance responsible technology development with the need to raise substantial capital.
Altman, 38, is recognized as a key figure in the new era of artificial intelligence, especially after the viral success of ChatGPT. Despite his prominence, internal conflicts with board members, particularly with Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and Chief Scientist of OpenAI, emerged. In addition to strategic tensions, Altman was also seeking significant funding to launch an artificial intelligence chip startup and had been in talks with SoftBank Group Corp. for a multimillion-dollar investment in a new AI-focused hardware business.
The corporate saga, involving threats of mass resignations by employees, unfolded on social media, underscoring Altman's importance in the industry. The rapid action to reverse his dismissal may appease investors but raises questions about the future path of OpenAI and similar startups. Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-22/sam-altman-to-return-as-openai-ceo-with-a-new-board?srnd=premium
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