Sam Altman, a key figure in the creation of landmark generative AI application ChatGPT, has been fired by the OpenAI board of directors over an apparent lack of candor in his communications with the board.
According to a statement issued by OpenAI Friday, Altman’s departure is the result of a “deliberative review process by the board,” which resulted in a finding that he “was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.”
The statement said that the board now no longer has confidence in Altman’s ability to continue at the help of one of the AI world’s most influential companies.
“We are grateful for Sam’s many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI,” the board said in a statement. “At the same time, we believe new leadership is necessary as we move forward.”
Board Chairman Greg Brockman will also leave his role as a result of today’s shakeup, though he will remain in his role as president of the company, OpenAI said. The company’s CTO, Mira Murati, will take over as interim CEO, according to OpenAI, and the board will begin to conduct a formal search for a permanent replacement. Brockman will report to Murati, the company noted.
Brockman and Murati were both promoted to their former roles in May 2023. Brockman has been closely involved in both broad strategy for the company as well as personal coding contributions, and has focused on training “flagship AI systems” since assuming the role of president. Murati is the former head of OpenAI’s research, product and partnership teams, and was credited by the company for the release of its research on DALL-E, the well-known image generation AI system.
Altman is a former startup CEO, having co-founded social networking site Loopt in 2005. He then became a venture capitalist, working with Y Combinator for just under a decade. He was intimately involved in the genesis of OpenAI, and was one of its earliest funders. He became CEO in 2020.
OpenAI, when reached for further comment, would only refer to the company’s official statement on the matter. The precise nature of Altman’s purported dishonesty in his dealings with the board remains unclear, as do the reasons for Brockman’s removal from the board.
Copyright © 2023 IDG Communications, Inc.
