In a sudden turn of events at OpenAI, former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear has been named the Interim Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Sam Altman. This decision follows the dramatic ousting of Altman as CEO, with talks of his potential return failing to materialize.
Despite efforts from OpenAI’s executives and investors, including Microsoft, to bring Altman back, the Board of Directors has taken a different route by appointing Emmett Shear. This marks the third change in CEO leadership within a mere three days, highlighting the unprecedented turbulence within the organization.
Reports suggest that the board members, despite discussions, failed to meet the 6:30 AM IST deadline to resign and reinstate Altman. Altman had demanded changes in governance, including the exit of current board members and a statement absolving him of any wrongdoing.
Simultaneously, Reuters reports that Sam Altman is contemplating the launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI) venture, even as discussions about his potential return to OpenAI continue.
Board Chooses Shear Over Altman
Sam Altman, along with former president Greg Brockman, reportedly met with executives at OpenAI’s San Francisco headquarters on Sunday. The board’s decision to hire Shear contradicts calls from investors to reinstate Altman as the CEO. According to Bloomberg, Shear’s recognition of the existential threats posed by AI played a crucial role in winning over the directors. Concerns were raised about Altman’s rapid advancements without sufficient consideration for the safety implications of AI technology.
Emmett Shear, who had previously stepped down as the CEO of Amazon.com Inc’s game streaming platform Twitch earlier this year, now takes on the responsibility of navigating OpenAI through this challenging period.
Altman’s Potential New Venture
Following the upheaval, Sam Altman is contemplating the launch of a new AI venture. Altman’s standing is reinforced by the loyalty of several employees, including top research scientists contributing significantly to OpenAI’s intellectual property and the development of the groundbreaking ChatGPT chatbot.
Had Altman returned to OpenAI, Microsoft was reportedly considering a role on the board. Possibilities included taking a seat on OpenAI’s board of directors or serving as a board observer without voting power.
The board, led by OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, dismissed Altman on Friday, citing inconsistencies in his communications with the board as the reason for his removal. The appointment of Emmett Shear signifies a significant shift in OpenAI’s leadership and strategy, as the organization grapples with internal challenges and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
