ChatGPT’s OpenAI Fires CEO Sam Altman As “Board No Longer Has Confidence”

OpenAI, the
creator of the record-breaking popular ChatGPT, announced on
Friday that Co-Founder and CEO Sam Altman is stepping down from his role and
departing the company. Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has been
appointed interim CEO as the board conducts a search for a permanent
replacement.

Thus,
Altman joins the long list of co-founders of popular technology projects such
as Jobs (Apple), Kalanick (Uber), and Eberhard (Tesla), who were fired from the
companies they built from the ground up.

Altman
helped found OpenAI in 2015 as a non-profit research organization focused on
ensuring artificial intelligence benefits humanity. He took over as CEO in 2019
when OpenAI restructured as a for-profit company in order to attract more
investment capital while maintaining its research mission and oversight.

In a
statement, OpenAI’s board of directors said the decision followed a review
process which concluded Altman “was not consistently candid in his
communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its
responsibilities.” The board stated it no longer has confidence in
Altman’s ability to lead OpenAI going forward.

“We are
grateful for Sam’s many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI. At
the same time, we believe new leadership is necessary as we move forward,” the
company added.

Altman
acknowledged his departure in a social media post, writing, “Today was a
weird experience in many ways. But one unexpected one is that it has been sorta
like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive.” He did not
directly address the board’s criticisms.

i love you all.

today was a weird experience in many ways. but one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive. the outpouring of love is awesome.

one takeaway: go tell your friends how great you think they are.

— Sam Altman (@sama) November 18, 2023

Mira Murati Named Interim
CEO

Murati, who
heads OpenAI’s research, products, and safety divisions, has been with the
company for over 5 years. The board expressed confidence in her ability to lead
during the transition, citing her “long tenure and close engagement with
all aspects of the company.”

“As the
leader of the company’s research, product, and safety functions, Mira is
exceptionally qualified to step into the role of interim CEO. We have the
utmost confidence in her ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period,”
OpenAI commented on the interim appointment.

Also, as
part of the leadership change, Greg Brockman is stepping down as Chairman but
will remain at OpenAI, reporting to the CEO. Brockman disputed the board’s
decision in online posts, claiming he and Altman were “shocked and
saddened” by the abrupt firing.

Sam and I are shocked and saddened by what the board did today.

Let us first say thank you to all the incredible people who we have worked with at OpenAI, our customers, our investors, and all of those who have been reaching out.

We too are still trying to figure out exactly…

— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 18, 2023

The news
comes during a period of explosive growth for OpenAI, which gained mainstream
popularity after launching its AI chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022. Microsoft, an
OpenAI investor, said it remains committed to their partnership under Murati’s
leadership.