OpenAI Saga Twist

Ok- what a roller coaster.

So we’ve got new updates on the Sam Altman and OpenAI board situation.

It turns out there was a, Return of the Jedi-esque situation with an ultimatum:

The staff at OpenAI set a 5pm deadline on Saturday for the entire board’s resignation, or they say they will go with Sam to start a new company.

However, a scenario all to familiar with many, the deadline flew by and nothing happened..

Except, OpenAI employees began posting hearts on Twitter:

Quite a touching scene- a CEO loved by the people in the company he created.

The question then becomes, what’s Next?

The drama continued to unfold, with there having been a supposed stalemate.

However, late last night, the OpenAI board, if we can call it that, announced that Sam will not be returning…

In fact, they named Emmet Shear, the CEO and Cofounder of Twitch, as the new CEO of OpenAI.

It’s a move out of left field.

And though some seem to like the decision, many do not, indicating that he wants to slow down the pace of AI advancement.

Regardless, Satya released a statement bringing Sam on to lead the research team at Microsoft:

Which means, Satya may have basically acqui-hired OpenAI’s top talent for free…wild to think about.

In fact, most of the OpenAI employees have signed a letter stating they will quit unless Sam is reinstated

Just last week, OpenAI was on track to make a billion in revenue, nearing a 100 billion valuation. Is within the confines of Microsoft’s org structure the best new place for Sam to go? Probably not, but Nadella probably has no choice but to put in a band-aid in this situation.

It’s been a mind boggling, Succession-esque weekend in the AI world to say the least. Not even AI could produce a script like this!

Anyways, peace out.