OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, has announced the departure of its founder and CEO, Sam Altman.
The decision comes after a deliberate review process by the board of directors, citing concerns about Altman's consistency in communication.
Effective immediately, Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati will step in as the interim CEO while the search for a permanent replacement is underway.
The board's statement emphasized the importance of transparent communication in the leadership role, indicating that Altman's departure was a result of hindering the board's ability to fulfil its responsibilities.
Additionally, OpenAI President Greg Brockman will be stepping down as chairman of the board but will continue in his current role, reporting to the CEO.
OpenAI's key business partner, Microsoft, has reassured that the leadership change will not impact its ongoing relationship with the company.
Altman, who played a pivotal role in OpenAI's growth since its establishment in 2015, has expressed his appreciation for the transformative experience at the organization without delving into details about his interaction with the board.
i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. most of all i loved working with such talented people.
— Sam Altman (@sama) November 17, 2023
will have more to say about what’s next later.
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The company's board consists of Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
The board remains committed to the organization's mission and will oversee the transition process.
