What YOU need to know about the Open AI news 🗞️

ISSUE 009

Welcome to the 9th edition of Curious Hours

We've reached the 9th newsletter edition, and we're truly grateful for the overwhelming support and unexpected attention it has received.

However, let's turn our focus to an important matter at hand: the latest developments at Open AI and the significant changes and current events happening within Chat GPT's parent company.

You must’ve seen the headlines by now about Open AI and people leaving and here is what you need to know and how does this affect the dynamics of Chat GPT and what can this lead too.

Key People Involved:

• Sam Altman (Founder & CEO of OpenAI)

• Ilya Sutskever (Co-Founder, Chief Scientist & Board Member of OpenAI)

• Greg Brockman (Co-Founder, President & Board Member of OpenAI)

• Mira Murati (CTO of OpenAI)

• Microsoft (Largest OpenAI Shareholder)

Timeline of Events:

Thursday, November 16th:

• 10:00 PM: Sam Altman attends an AI art event in a warehouse in Oakland.

• 10:40 PM: Altman leaves the warehouse.

• 11:00 PM: Ilya Sutskever texts Altman, requesting a meeting at 3:00 PM the next day.

• 11:10 PM: Sutskever informs Murati about the plan to fire Altman and appoint her as interim CEO.

Friday, November 17th:

• 3:00 PM: Altman joins a Google Meets call with the OpenAI board, excluding Greg Brockman. The board informs Altman of his termination​​​​​​.

• 3:19 PM: Sutskever texts Brockman to join the call.

• 3:23 PM: Brockman joins the call and is informed of his removal from the board but retains his role as President​​.

• 3:26 PM: The OpenAI board notifies Microsoft about the firing.

• 3:28 PM: OpenAI publicly announces Altman's firing.

• 3:30 PM: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is reportedly blindsided and furious at the OpenAI board's decision​​.

• 7:09 PM: Brockman announces his resignation from OpenAI in response to Altman’s firing​​​​.

Saturday, November 18th:

• 1:00 PM: Altman is in talks to raise funds for a new AI company, potentially involving Brockman​​.

• 2:00 PM: Microsoft and other OpenAI investors reportedly pressure the OpenAI board to reinstate Altman​​.

• 4:00 PM: Discussions within the OpenAI board occur about possibly reinstating Altman as CEO.

• 4:10 PM: Altman expresses mixed feelings about returning to OpenAI but indicates that significant governance changes would be a condition for his return.

Another twist in the tales

But this story takes more of a turn and changing as we’re writing this issue of Curious Hours but what the recent change in events was that Altman could return as CEO of Open AI.

The OpenAI board is reportedly in talks with Sam Altman about his potential reinstatement as CEO. Despite being suddenly fired without prior notice last Friday, Altman is said to be ambivalent about returning and demands significant governance changes.

It has been revealed that the board had provisionally agreed to resign, which would facilitate the return of Altman and Greg Brockman. However, they missed a critical deadline set for 5 PM PT, leading to the possibility of mass resignations among OpenAI staff. If Altman decides to start a new company, it is likely that these employees would follow him.

The abrupt termination of Altman and the subsequent resignation of Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and former board chairman, have led to a period of instability. Both Altman and Brockman have been contemplating the creation of a new company, and several senior researchers have already resigned, with more expected to leave.

Altman's hesitation to return reflects the current uncertainty surrounding OpenAI's future. Microsoft, the largest investor in OpenAI, stated its continued commitment to the partnership, despite not being pre-informed about the board’s decision to remove Altman. His removal raises questions about the future course of OpenAI, particularly as competitors are rapidly progressing.

The existing board members include chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, former GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner. Their focus is on the creation of "broadly beneficial" artificial general intelligence, which is a departure from traditional board responsibilities, as they do not hold equity in OpenAI. Sutskever, a co-founder who heads the research team, was significantly involved in Altman's ousting, indicating a power struggle within the company.

Wrapping things up…

The winds of change at OpenAI aren't just blowing; they're howling. The dramatic series of events – from Sam Altman's abrupt dismissal to the potential reshuffling of the board – is more than just corporate theater. It's a pivotal moment that could redefine the trajectory of one of the most influential players in the AI arena. Altman's potential return, contingent on significant governance reshuffles, signals a profound shift not just in leadership but in strategic vision and priorities.

For now, OpenAI stands at a crossroads, with its future direction hinging on crucial decisions made in boardrooms. As the AI community watches with bated breath, one thing is certain – the outcome of this drama will shape not only the future of OpenAI but potentially the course of AI development globally.

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