© Sam Altman (@sama) via 𝕏
You are closely following the real “soap opera” of AI caused by OpenAI's abrupt decision to remove Sam Altman from his position? Friday November 17, 2023, the boss of OpenAI was summoned by the chairman of the board of directors Ilya Sutskever to a 'quick' meeting. on Google Meet.
When the call begins, Sam Altman sees the entire board of directors in front of him, with the exception of its president, Greg Brockman. Ilya Sutskever then announced to him that he was being dismissed from his position with immediate effect. A few minutes later, in a separate call, Greg Brockman was informed that he was also removed from his role as chairman of the board of directors.
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The news was made official via a press release immediately, creating real chaos that no one – including the startup's investors, first and foremost Microsoft – has not been able to predict, prevent, or so far remedy. Since then, OpenAI is increasingly taking on the air of trench warfare.
With on one side a board of directors whose decision remains largely misunderstood, but which continues to camp on its positions and walled itself (for most of its members) in a heavy silence. And on the other hand, investors who exert incredible pressure on the company, relayed by more than 95% of employees (including many executives), the appetite of competing firms in the sector, and the doubts of the public.
It is Microsoft, the firm's first partner, which is essentially in charge of the response. Satya Nadella's firm has no interest in OpenAI imploding, but on the other hand, it is just as urgent for Microsoft to prevent the firm's talents from leaving elsewhere. As a result, the company immediately offered Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to join the Redmond firm where they will be able to manage the development of a team dedicated to AI.
While emphasizing that positions are open for anyone from OpenAI who wishes to follow them. However, an open letter, signed by 743 employees out of the 770 in total OpenAI threatens to respond positively to this offer – if the board of directors does not announce its collective resignation promptly.
At the same time, Microsoft, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman continue to blow hot and cold on the situation, while explaining that a return of the two biggest figures of OpenAI to the startup remains completely on the table. A way of maintaining strong pressure, while the firm's board remains for the moment straight in its boots and prepares to test the determination of OpenAI employees to leave for Microsoft (or competitors).
It is therefore a safe bet that there will be new twists and turns in the coming days. The thread of events is complex, and for a more detailed summary of what happened, we recommend that you read our complete file on the subject. Find all the latest news on the situation at OpenAI in the live below:
08:28 Coup thunder! Sam Altman becomes CEO of OpenAI again
Every day has its share of surprises. After multiple twists and turns and the threat of a flight of its talents, OpenAI finally agreed to reinstate Sam Altman as CEO. To get back on a healthy footing, the company plans to re-form a new board of directors. The end of the saga?
More info
11/21 A “side-project” of chip development at the sources of the rupture?
While the remaining members of the board of directors, with the exception of Ilya Sutskever, have been wallowing in heavy silence since Friday, November 17, a new theory is emerging on the reasons for the dismissal of Sam Altman. According to Bloomberg, the former CEO of the company would have spent time in the Middle East to raise funds for a “side-project” named Tigris in the days leading up to the famous meeting with the OpenAI board of directors.
The idea behind this project is to launch a new company specializing in the production of chips for artificial intelligence – likely to compete with Nvidia, currently the undisputed number 1 in the market. Sam Altman is not his first project of this type. We recently saw him launch, for example, the Worldcoin blockchain with the mission of making it easier to distinguish humans from machines.
Discovering his maneuvers around the Tigris project would have undermined the council's confidence. To date, few details are known about Tigris: the project is reportedly at a preliminary stage.
21/11 investors explore legal recourse
According to The Financial Times, several investors are exploring legal recourse against the dismissal of Sam Altman. The complaint could be formalized as early as today.
21/11 The Board of Directors remains for the #8217;instant right in his boots
Following the open letter from OpenAI employees, the Board of Directors is currently refusing to communicate. Sources close to the company quoted by the Financial Times assure that the Council is prepared to test the determination of employees to carry out their threats…
21/11 The open letter from OpenAI employees to the Board of Directors
Here is the text translated into French of the open letter from OpenAI employees to the Board of Directors. You can download the full document with the list of signatories by clicking here (via The New York Times):
“To the attention of the Board of Directors of OpenAI,
OpenAI is the world's leading artificial intelligence company. We, the people at OpenAI, have developed the best models and pushed the boundaries of the field. Our work on AI security and governance shapes global standards. The products we've built are used by millions of people around the world. Until now, the company we work for and love has never been in a stronger position.
The process through Your firing of Sam Altman and removal of Greg Brockman from the board has jeopardized all of that work and undermined our mission and our company. Your conduct clearly showed that you did not have the competence to supervise OpenAI.
When we all unexpectedly learned of your decision, the OpenAI leadership team acted quickly to stabilize the company. They have listened carefully to your concerns and attempted to cooperate with you on all fronts. Despite numerous requests for specific facts regarding your allegations, you have never provided written evidence. They also increasingly realized that you were unable to take responsibility and that you were negotiating in bad faith.
The leadership team suggested that the most stabilizing path, the one that would best serve our mission, the company, stakeholders, employees and the public, would be for you to resign and establish a board qualified who could lead the company towards stability. Management has worked with you day and night to find a mutually acceptable outcome. Yet within two days of your initial decision, you once again replaced interim CEO Mira Murati, against the company's interests. You also informed the management team that allowing the destruction of the company would be consistent with the mission.
Your actions have made it obvious that you are incapable of overseeing OpenAI. We cannot work for or with people who lack skill, judgment and care for our mission and our employees. We, the undersigned, may choose to resign from OpenAI and join the announced new Microsoft subsidiary, led by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. Microsoft has assured us that there will be positions for all OpenAI employees in this new subsidiary if we choose to join. We will make this decision imminently, unless all current board members resign, and the board appoints two new lead independent directors, such as Bret Taylor and Will Hurd, and reinstates Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.” ;
21/11 743 OpenAI employees out of 770 threaten to leave for Microsoft
Things are still evolving this Tuesday, November 21: this morning, an open letter signed by 743 employees out of the 770 (still) of OpenAI calls for the immediate resignation of the board of directors and the return of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to the management of the company.
This open letter was signed by Ilya Sutskever, the scientific director of OpenAI, who apologized on social networks for his role in the ;discarding Sam Altman. “I never wanted to harm OpenAI. I love everything we have built together and I will do everything I can to unite this company.
In detail several co-founders expressed on 𝕏 their support for a “united” OpenAI; with all its employees. But apart from Ilya Sutskever, the three remaining board members are remaining silent for the moment and are reportedly ready to “test the employees’ resolve to leave OpenAI.”