Co-founder Sam Altman steps down from OpenAI, with Mira Murati taking on the role of acting CEO as the board searches for a permanent replacement.
Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the wildly popular ChatGPT, announced his resignation from the firm on Friday. Mira Murati, the chief technology officer, has been named acting CEO while the board looks for a long-term replacement.
Altman therefore becomes the latest in a long line of well-known technology project co-founders who lost their jobs after starting their businesses from the ground up, including Jobs (Apple), Kalanick (Uber), and Eberhard (Tesla).
Sam Altman Steps Down as OpenAI’s CEO
In 2015, Altman participated in the founding of OpenAI, a nonprofit research group whose mission is to guarantee that artificial intelligence advances humankind. When OpenAI reorganized as a for-profit business in 2019 to draw in more investment funds while keeping its supervision and research goal intact, he became leadership of the organization.
The board of directors of OpenAI said in a statement that Altman “was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.” The decision was made after a review process. The board declared that it no longer believes Altman can continue to run OpenAI.
“We appreciate all that Sam has done to help OpenAI from its inception to its current state. However, we think that as we proceed, new leadership will be required,” the company continued.
In a social media post, Altman announced his departure, saying, “Today was a weird experience in many ways.” One surprising thing, though, is that it’s been like reading your own eulogy while you’re still living.” He refrained from immediately responding to the board’s critiques.
CEO Mira Murati Appointed Temporary
Heading OpenAI’s research, products, and safety divisions, Murati has over 5 years of experience with the company. The board noted her “long tenure and close engagement with all aspects of the company” as evidence of their trust in her capacity to lead during the change.
As the head of the organization’s safety, product, and research departments, Mira is highly suited to take on the position of acting CEO. Regarding the temporary appointment, OpenAI stated, “We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period.”
In addition, Greg Brockman is leaving OpenAI as Chairman as part of the leadership transition, but he will still work there and report to the CEO. In online writings, Brockman contested the board’s decision, saying that the sudden firing had “shocked and saddened” him and Altman.
The announcement coincides with OpenAI’s rapid expansion. The company sprang to prominence in the public eye with the release of its AI chatbot,ChatGPT, in late 2022. Under Murati’s direction, Microsoft, an investor in OpenAI, stated that it is still dedicated to their collaboration.
