I only saw the news he was fired today, and was curious and a bit confused on what's going on behind the scenes for him to be fired so abruptly. I don't follow the AI scene super closely, so I...
I only saw the news he was fired today, and was curious and a bit confused on what's going on behind the scenes for him to be fired so abruptly. I don't follow the AI scene super closely, so I lacked any context to make any guesses or assumptions on motives.
But now the board is reversing course and trying to get him back barely 24 hours later?
Now I'm really curious on what the heck is going on at OpenAI.
Has anyone heard of a reversal of such a major decision like that in such a short time?
One possibility: they failed to account for indirect leverage that Microsoft and other investors have because they underestimated the response and thought Microsoft and other investors' lack of...
One possibility: they failed to account for indirect leverage that Microsoft and other investors have because they underestimated the response and thought Microsoft and other investors' lack of direct leverage protected them.
It's my understanding that Microsoft is responsible for OpenAI's infrastructure and computing, and Satya Nadella is reportedly "furious" — so perhaps there was a threat of withholding resources.
edit: to add to this, since this coup was planned in secret, it was likely planned in a small circle of highly ideologically like-minded and motivated individuals. In such situations, there could've been a lack of critical external feedback.
oh, this is just funny now Also, other reporting around the same time: Ousted OpenAI C.E.O. Makes Plans for New Artificial Intelligence Company. OpenAI Investors Plot Last-Minute Push With...
The Verge are updating this story. An interesting recent tidbit. (this includes the interim CEO, Mira Murati). It’s most of OpenAI versus the board at this point, I’m told by sources. And he's...
Then, a lot of OpenAI employees started reposting him with the heart emoji. I’ve been told by multiple sources that the action was meant to signal to the board who would leave OpenAI to follow Altman to a new company.
A group of OpenAI executives and investors racing to get Sam Altman reinstated to his role as chief executive officer have reached an impasse over the makeup and role of the board, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
OpenAI leaders pushing to reinstate Altman include Interim CEO Mira Murati, Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon and Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
Altman, who was fired Friday, is open to returning but wants to see governance changes — including the removal of existing board members, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private. After facing intense pressure following their decision to fire Altman Friday, the board agreed in principle to step down, but have so far refused to officially do so.
As of midday Sunday, the board had not resigned out of concern over who could replace them, and were vetting candidates, one of the people said.
At the center of the high-stakes negotiations between investors, staff members and the board is Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella. Nadella has been leading the charge on talks between the different factions, some of the people said. A breakthrough would pave the way for a speedy return by Altman, possibly as soon as Sunday.
Bret Taylor, the former co-CEO of Salesforce Inc., will be on the new board, several people said. Another possible addition is an executive from Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest shareholder — but Microsoft hasn’t decided whether it wants board representation, some people said.
After a weekend of negotiations to bring back Sam Altman as OpenAI CEO following his shock firing, the company’s nonprofit board has gone another way entirely and named former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear as interim CEO. Shear will take over as interim OpenAI CEO from Mira Murati, who was publicly aligned with Altman. The news was first reported by The Information.
…
On Saturday night, sources told The Verge the remaining board members had missed a 5PM PT deadline to resign and reinstate Altman and fellow co-founder Greg Brockman or face a slew of staff resignations. After the deadline passed, droves of OpenAI employees started posting their support for Altman on social media.
Truth be told, I'm surprised to see this much of an outpouring of support from the employees for Altman. Everything I've seen about the guy has made me wince.
Truth be told, I'm surprised to see this much of an outpouring of support from the employees for Altman. Everything I've seen about the guy has made me wince.
That is a curious decision. It is not that Shear has such an amazing reputation as CEO at Twitch. Major issues, including in the internal organization were left unresolved
named former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear as interim CEO.
That is a curious decision. It is not that Shear has such an amazing reputation as CEO at Twitch. Major issues, including in the internal organization were left unresolved
It appears the board wasn’t thinking ahead and had to find someone over the weekend? It turned out their first choice for CEO was an Altman supporter and perhaps that’s why there was so much talk...
It appears the board wasn’t thinking ahead and had to find someone over the weekend? It turned out their first choice for CEO was an Altman supporter and perhaps that’s why there was so much talk about bringing Altman back. It seems badly planned; in a coup you need to a better idea who else is going to support you.
I suppose it’s possible that they had a backup plan if their first choice didn’t want the job.
I only saw the news he was fired today, and was curious and a bit confused on what's going on behind the scenes for him to be fired so abruptly. I don't follow the AI scene super closely, so I lacked any context to make any guesses or assumptions on motives.
But now the board is reversing course and trying to get him back barely 24 hours later?
Now I'm really curious on what the heck is going on at OpenAI.
Has anyone heard of a reversal of such a major decision like that in such a short time?
One possibility: they failed to account for indirect leverage that Microsoft and other investors have because they underestimated the response and thought Microsoft and other investors' lack of direct leverage protected them.
It's my understanding that Microsoft is responsible for OpenAI's infrastructure and computing, and Satya Nadella is reportedly "furious" — so perhaps there was a threat of withholding resources.
edit: to add to this, since this coup was planned in secret, it was likely planned in a small circle of highly ideologically like-minded and motivated individuals. In such situations, there could've been a lack of critical external feedback.
Any sources about Satya being furious?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-altman-ouster-followed-debates-between-altman-board
oh, this is just funny now
Also, other reporting around the same time: Ousted OpenAI C.E.O. Makes Plans for New Artificial Intelligence Company. OpenAI Investors Plot Last-Minute Push With Microsoft To Reinstate Sam Altman As CEO
The Verge are updating this story.
An interesting recent tidbit.
(this includes the interim CEO, Mira Murati).
It’s most of OpenAI versus the board at this point, I’m told by sources.
And he's back in the building, for what Verge describes as a final showdown.
OpenAI Negotiations to Reinstate Altman Hit Snag Over Board Role - Bloomberg (archive)
The deal to bring Sam Altman back to OpenAI has fallen apart (The Verge)
…
Truth be told, I'm surprised to see this much of an outpouring of support from the employees for Altman. Everything I've seen about the guy has made me wince.
Perhaps that is why you do not work for openai.
It is one of a great many reasons, chief among them being that I don’t like OpenAI either.
That is a curious decision. It is not that Shear has such an amazing reputation as CEO at Twitch. Major issues, including in the internal organization were left unresolved
It appears the board wasn’t thinking ahead and had to find someone over the weekend? It turned out their first choice for CEO was an Altman supporter and perhaps that’s why there was so much talk about bringing Altman back. It seems badly planned; in a coup you need to a better idea who else is going to support you.
I suppose it’s possible that they had a backup plan if their first choice didn’t want the job.
My guess is someone or a faction of the board tried to stage a power move and they really overestimated their hand.
Is the board making decisions like the headless chicken scene on South Park?
For the unaware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-PtEJEaqY
maybe they thought Sam Altman and Sam Bankman-Fried are the same dude
I think maybe this board needs to consider firing itself