Over 600 employees of artificial intelligence company OpenAI have issued a threat to resign and join former CEO Sam Altman at Microsoft, unless the current board steps down and reinstates Altman. This ultimatum follows the controversial dismissal of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman by the board just last week.
In a letter, the employees criticize the board’s handling of the situation, claiming that their actions have undermined the company’s mission and work. Notably, among the signatories is Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist and board member, who has been accused of orchestrating the coup against Altman.
The board’s decision to remove Altman was based on allegations of his lack of transparency in communications, which they believed obstructed their responsibilities. After Altman’s dismissal, Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, was appointed as interim CEO. However, facing backlash from investors including Microsoft, the board appeared open to Altman’s return. This optimism was short-lived as the board later stated that Altman would not be reinstated.
In an unexpected twist, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman and Brockman would be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research unit. Nadella’s announcement seemed to welcome any OpenAI employees willing to leave, promising them the necessary resources for success.
The OpenAI employees’ letter threatens to follow Altman to Microsoft, as the company has reportedly guaranteed positions for all OpenAI employees at the new subsidiary. The letter also demands the resignation of the current board and the appointment of two new independent lead board members, Bret Taylor and Will Hurd.
This ongoing saga sheds light on the unique governance structure of OpenAI, where a few nonprofit board members hold significant power over the company. It also highlights the divisive nature of the race to develop AI technology.
Overall, the situation at OpenAI remains uncertain, with the future of the board and the company’s mission hanging in the balance. As the employees and Altman consider their next moves, the AI industry watches closely to see how this high-stakes power struggle will unfold.
