500 OpenAI staff threaten to quit, demand board resignation
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San Francisco: OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup known for creating ChatGPT, is facing a significant internal crisis as its staff threatens a mass exodus, opting to join former CEO Sam Altman at Microsoft's new division if the current board doesn't resign.
A letter obtained by Reuters revealed this ultimatum from approximately 500 OpenAI staff members.
The letter signifies the discontent within OpenAI, emphasising the condition for mass resignations if the board fails to step down. While key executives such as Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, Chief Data Scientist Ilya Sutskever, and Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap were not among the signatories, an insider familiar with the situation confirmed the stance taken by the staff.
OpenAI has yet to respond to this development.
The tension escalated following Sam Altman's departure, prompting dissatisfaction among the staff. The OpenAI Board expressed a lack of confidence in Altman's leadership, a sentiment highlighted in their statement, which led to his dismissal.
Interim CEO Mira Murati conveyed a commitment to continue OpenAI's mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits humanity. Meanwhile, Brad Lightcap clarified that Altman's termination stemmed from communication breakdowns with the board, dismissing any allegations of misconduct on Altman's part.
An anonymous OpenAI employee expressed shock and sadness over Altman's firing, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to OpenAI's mission.
Microsoft executives, including CEO Satya Nadella and President Brad Smith, have welcomed Altman to their team, recognising his talent and expertise in AI development. Nadella highlighted Altman's exceptional skills, anticipating his valuable contributions to Microsoft's AI initiatives. Brad Smith emphasised Altman's profound experience in responsible AI development as an asset to Microsoft.