Emmett Shear Appointed Interim CEO of OpenAI, Aims to Stabilize Company Amid Turmoil
Emmett Shear has been named the interim CEO of OpenAI, taking charge during a period of uncertainty and upheaval at the company. In response to his appointment, Shear stated that he accepted the opportunity rapidly and unexpectedly, emphasizing his commitment to protecting OpenAI and fostering its growth.
Shear’s background makes him well-suited for the role, as he is an experienced internet entrepreneur and investor. He is best known for co-founding popular live video platforms such as Justin.tv and TwitchTV, which was later sold to Amazon for a staggering $970 million. Additionally, Shear is a part-time partner at venture capital firm Y Combinator. Despite recently stepping down as CEO of Twitch due to personal reasons, he has wasted no time in formulating a 30-day plan for OpenAI.
In light of recent events, Shear is determined to address key concerns and ensure the stability and success of OpenAI. He plans to hire an independent investigator to thoroughly examine the process leading up to the current situation, with the aim of generating a comprehensive report. Shear also intends to reform the management and leadership team in order to enhance the company’s effectiveness. Furthermore, he will engage with OpenAI’s employees, partners, investors, and customers to gather valuable insights and foster open communication.
Shear acknowledges the significance of regaining trust and stability at OpenAI, as the departure of former CEO Sam Altman has caused a majority of employees to consider leaving the company. To counteract this, Shear aims to create a constructive and supportive work environment. He holds Altman and the entire OpenAI team in high regard, expressing respect for what they have built. Shear also emphasizes that Altman’s removal was not due to any safety disagreements, but rather a different reasoning by the board.
Despite the recent challenges, Shear reiterates the strong partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft, assuring customers that their needs will continue to be met. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella echoes this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for working with Shear and OpenAI’s new leadership team.
As the future of OpenAI remains uncertain, Shear’s appointment brings hope and stability to the company. With his experience and determination, he is well-positioned to guide OpenAI through this turbulent period. It is an exciting time for OpenAI and its team, who have been dedicated to advancing AI and improving human-machine communication through innovations like ChatGPT and upcoming models such as GPT-4 Turbo and GPT-5.
