"Sam, I Am..."

What the heck is going on at OpenAI?

The article from The Guardian outlines significant developments at OpenAI following the dismissal of its co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman. Here are the key highlights:

1. Sam Altman's Plans Before Departure: Before his unexpected exit from OpenAI, Sam Altman was reportedly discussing with investors about launching a new company.
2. Greg Brockman's Resignation: Alongside Altman's departure, Greg Brockman, the former president of OpenAI, also resigned, potentially hinting at joining Altman's new venture.
3. Potential for Further Exits: The formation of this new company by Altman might lead to more OpenAI employees leaving to join him.
4. Reasons for Altman's Ousting: OpenAI cited misleading the board as the reason for Altman's dismissal, stating that it led to a loss of confidence in him. The company clarified that the issue was a "breakdown in communication" rather than any malfeasance related to the company's financial or security practices.
5. Key Personnel Resignations: The departures of key figures like Jakub Pachocki, director of research, Aleksander Madry, head of AI risk evaluation, and researcher Szymon Sidor, have been reported, though they couldn't be contacted for comments.
6. Leadership Transition at OpenAI: Mira Murati has stepped in as the interim CEO of OpenAI.
7. OpenAI's Background: Founded in 2015 by Altman, Brockman, Elon Musk, and others as a non-profit, OpenAI restructured in 2019 and received substantial backing from Microsoft.
8. ChatGPT's Launch and Impact: OpenAI's launch of ChatGPT last year marked a significant milestone, with the platform being used by millions and elevating Altman's status in the AI field.
9. Pending Share Sale: OpenAI's planned share sale, valuing the company at over $86 billion, is now uncertain following Altman's departure.
10. Internal Reactions and Future Prospects: The shakeup has led to discussions within OpenAI about a possible "coup" or "hostile takeover." Meanwhile, external observers like investment firms and tech leaders are closely watching these developments, with some seeing it as an opportunity for Microsoft to increase its influence.
11. Tributes and Opportunities: Figures like Google's former CEO, Eric Schmidt, have praised Altman's contributions, and the French government has expressed interest in welcoming Altman and his team.

This series of events at OpenAI signifies a dramatic shift in the landscape of AI development and has sparked widespread interest and speculation within the tech community. The future direction of both OpenAI and Altman's new venture remains a focal point of discussion in the tech industry.

Article, here.