Microsoft has hired Sam Altman after he was removed as the CEO of OpenAI. At the same time, OpenAI has chosen Emmett Shear, who used to be the CEO of Twitch, as their temporary CEO.
Microsoft Employs Former OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman, for New AI Research Team
OpenAI Appoints Emmett Shear of Twitch as Interim CEO Amidst Leadership Shake-up
Sam Altman will now lead a new artificial-intelligence research team at Microsoft. This decision comes after Microsoft announced plans to invest billions in OpenAI. OpenAI, known for creating the AI chatbot ChatGPT, has received over $13 billion in investments from Microsoft.
Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, will take over as the interim CEO of OpenAI. He replaces Mira Murati, who was filling in after Altman’s removal. More than 500 out of OpenAI’s 700 employees signed a letter threatening to quit unless Altman and Brockman are reinstated.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed commitment to their partnership with OpenAI and welcomed the new leadership. Altman and Brockman, along with their colleagues, will lead a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft.
The details behind Altman’s removal from OpenAI are unclear. The board mentioned a breakdown in communication but denied any financial or business wrongdoing. Some employees were concerned about the safety of OpenAI’s technology.
Emmett Shear acknowledged the mishandling of Altman’s removal and plans to hire an investigator to look into the situation. He aims to reform the management team, speak to employees, partners, investors, and customers, and ensure board support for commercializing their models.
Analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush Securities commented that Microsoft took charge by hiring Altman and Brockman after the “failed coup attempt” at OpenAI. Altman will oversee OpenAI from Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond
