Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, is moving to Microsoft to start a new venture, following his unexpected dismissal from OpenAI. This development marks a significant shift in the landscape of artificial intelligence research.
Altman’s Ousting from OpenAI
On November 17, OpenAI’s board of directors fired Sam Altman, citing issues with his candidness in communications. This decision led to a series of high-profile departures, including Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president. The board’s announcement sparked widespread speculation about the underlying reasons for Altman’s dismissal.
Microsoft’s New AI Research Team
Following these events, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s managing director, announced on November 20 that Altman, along with Brockman and other colleagues, would be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. This move reflects Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to AI, as the tech giant has been a major investor in OpenAI, contributing a significant $11 billion over the years.
The Founding and Evolution of OpenAI
Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015, along with Brockman and others, as an organization committed to openly releasing its research. Notable figures like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel provided financial backing. However, OpenAI’s model evolved from its initial open, non-profit approach to a more profit-driven structure in 2019, which has led to the current governance and operational framework of the company.
