In a surprising turn of events, OpenAI, the renowned company behind consumer-focused generative AI, has made the sudden decision to remove co-founder Sam Altman as CEO. Altman will be replaced by chief technology officer Mira Murati, who will serve as the interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement. The announcement was made by the OpenAI board of directors, who cited communication issues and a lack of confidence in Altman’s leadership as the reason for his removal.
The decision to remove Altman comes shortly after OpenAI’s DevDay conference, where the company unveiled innovative new features. However, it is important to note that his removal is not related to the ongoing public allegations of childhood abuse made by his sister, Annie Altman, according to an OpenAI spokesperson.
Despite the unexpected nature of his departure, Altman expressed positivity about his exit in a post on his personal X account. He mentioned that he “loved [his] time at OpenAI” and hinted at a new chapter in his career.
Altman received support from various individuals following the announcement, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his brother, Jack Altman, who is the CEO of Lattice.
Additionally, OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, who was serving as the chairman of the board, announced his resignation from the company in a separate post. However, he will continue to serve as the president of OpenAI.
OpenAI’s Mission and Leadership Change
OpenAI’s board of directors, consisting of chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and independent directors Adam D’Angelo, Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner, emphasized that the company’s mission remains central. They stated, “OpenAI was deliberately structured to advance our mission: to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity.”
Altman played a crucial role in establishing OpenAI in 2015, leading the company as CEO for eight years and overseeing its growth into a prominent AI powerhouse. However, the board believes that new leadership is necessary to maintain focus on OpenAI’s mission as the company enters its next phase of development.
Mira Murati, who has been with OpenAI for five years and currently holds the position of chief technology officer, has been appointed as the interim CEO. The board expressed confidence in Murati’s ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period, highlighting her extensive experience in AI governance and policy.
As the search for a permanent CEO begins, OpenAI remains committed to ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits humanity. The company, originally founded as a non-profit, has undergone restructuring to pursue its mission while also raising capital.
