OpenAI, founded in 2015 by tech icons Elon Musk and Sam Altman, is a leading research organization dedicated to discovering and sharing artificial intelligence breakthroughs. Recently, Altman gave an interesting perspective on remote work—calling it one of the tech industry’s worst mistakes. While speaking at a Stripe-sponsored fireside chat in San Francisco, Altman expressed his believe that technology is not advanced enough for startups to properly operate without physical offices.
Altman’s opinion on remote work is one shared by many in the tech industry. Recent surveys of global executives from the World Economic Forum pointed to pessimism about the future of remote work, with 57% of executives predicting that hybrid remote and in-person arrangements were the most near-term solution for the tech industry. In some cases, companies have gone so far as to reverse course and start transitioning employees back to their offices. Additionally, the trend towards remote working has even had an effect on where Americans elect to live, with many opting to move back to cities.
Sam Altman currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI. He began his career in tech investing, acting as the president and co-founder of Y Combinator, one of the world’s largest networks of startup incubators. Under Altman’s leadership, Y Combinator has invested in more than 2,000 companies, now worth over $155 billion. He currently serves on the board of startups such as Zynga, Stripe, and Ripple, among others. Altman previously served as the first CEO of OpenAI, having been succeeded by Greg Brockman in August 2019.
