Timeline of Sam Altman’s departure from OpenAI
In the year On November 17, artificial intelligence startup OpenAI made the shocking announcement that CEO Sam Altman — the man behind viral AI-powered technology like chatbots ChatGPT, GPT4 and image generator DallE-3 — was fired.
With the tech world reeling and Altman's colleagues rallying behind him, OpenAI's current president and founder, Greg Brockman, announced his own resignation. Amid strong public opposition from shareholders and employees, the board of directors is negotiating to reinstate Altman.
Here's what happened so far.
Thursday, November 16
Ilya Sustekever schedule a call with Altman
According to Brockman's X (formerly Twitter) post, OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever messaged Altman on Thursday evening to set up a meeting for Friday afternoon.
Sam and I are shocked and saddened by what the board did today.
First of all, let's say thank you to the incredible people we've worked with at OpenAI, our customers, investors, and everyone who's been helping.
We are still trying to figure out exactly…
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 18, 2023
Additionally, OpenAI CTO Mira Murati said that it was announced that Altman would be fired that night.
Friday, November 17
Brockman informed Altman that he was fired
Just after noon on Nov. 17, Brockman said Sutskever texted him asking to jump on a call. A few minutes after joining the call, it was announced that he was being removed from OpenAI's board of directors but would retain his role as president, and that Altman had been fired.
OpenAI publicly says Altman is out.
OpenAI published a blog post saying that Altman was fired for not being “consistently candid in his dealings with the board” and that Murthy would take over as interim CEO.
OpenAI announces leadership transition https://t.co/fFYDLwGXQz
— Open AI (@OpenAI) November 17, 2023
Microsoft released a statement on OpenAI.
Microsoft, the largest investor and partner in OpenAI, released a statement regarding Altman's ouster with CEO Satya Nadella trying to calm market nerves and assuring that Altman's axing will have no impact on the partnership going forward.
“We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI to provide everything we need to deliver on our innovation agenda and exciting product roadmap, and we are committed to our partnership and to Mira and the team.”
Brockman resigned
Following the official announcement of Altman's departure, Brockman announced his own resignation.
After learning today's news, here's my message to the OpenAI team: pic.twitter.com/8x39P0ejOM
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 18, 2023
Resignations overlap
Following Brockman's resignation, several OpenAI executives announced the resignations of the company's head of readiness, Alexander Madfry, and director of research, Jakub Pachocki.
Saturday, November 18
The shock firing was a surprise to the management.
OpenAI's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcup, made the announcement to the entire management in a dramatic manner, in an internal memo seen by Axios on Nov. 18.
“What we can say with certainty is that the board's decision was not in response to a breach or related to our financial, business, security or security/privacy practices. This is a breakdown in the relationship between Sam and the board.”
Altman eyes a new venture
According to reports on November 18, Altman has started discussing new AI-related work with investors. Brockman is expected to join Altman in any endeavors going forward.
Microsoft was “angry” at Altman's exit and pushed the board to bring him back.
Bloomberg reported on November 18 that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was “furious” at the decision and began pressuring the board to reinstate Altman as CEO.
The board agreed to reconsider Altman's position.
The Verge reported on Nov. 18 that OpenAI's board had agreed to resign “in principle” and bring back both Altman as CEO and Brockman as president.
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Multiple sources have indicated that Sutskever's “substantial role” in Altman's firing is a source of considerable tension between the nonprofit and non-profit sides of the company.
Sunday, November 19
Before the decision deadline, Altman at OpenAI
Altman took a picture at XA's headquarters at OpenAI's headquarters and spent his last day as a guest badge on his return to work as CEO, scheduled for 5 p.m.
First and last time I wore one of these pic.twitter.com/u3iKwyWj0a
— Sam Altman (@sama) November 19, 2023
Bringing Altman back as CEO could require the board to apologize and issue a statement of exoneration, sources told Bloomberg.
Microsoft eyes board seat as insiders push for Altman's return
According to reports on November 19, Microsoft is considering a non-voting board seat or board observer role if Altman returns. Bloomberg previously reported that OpenAI's top Brazil is pushing for Altman to return, along with interim CEO Mira Muratti, chief strategy officer Jason Kwon and chief operating officer Brad Lightcap.
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