After a 5 days of unexplained boardroom drama, OpenAI’s co-founder and CEO, Sam Altman, has finally returned to the helm of the company. The board cited a lack of confidence in Altman’s leadership abilities, leading to his abrupt departure from the company followed by a five-day period of uncertainty and internal conflicts. Juts few days later he was asked to join back the company.
In an exclusive interview with The Verge, Altman shared the emotional rollercoaster he experienced between his firing and rehiring. He acknowledged that the events of November 2023 were emotionally difficult and that he initially felt defiant, hurt, and angry when informed of his termination over a call.
Altman’s dismissal stemmed from concerns raised by the OpenAI board regarding his communication with them. However, a strong backlash from employees and investors, led by Microsoft, prompted the board to reconsider their decision.
“Obviously, I really loved the company and had poured my life force into this for the last four and a half years full time, but really longer than that with most of my time,” Altman told the interviewer.
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He expressed initial feelings of hurt and anger, only to quickly transition into a deep reflection on his love for the company and its mission of developing safe and beneficial Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Altman emphasised his dedication to the company, stating, “We’re making such great progress on the mission I care so much about, the mission of safe and beneficial AGI.”
The interview shed light on Altman’s initial reluctance to return, describing a moment of defiance followed by a realisation of his deep connection to OpenAI and its dedicated team. Altman disclosed that the board initiated the conversation about his return, and while he initially hesitated, he ultimately embraced the opportunity.
The support of OpenAI’s employees played a crucial role in Altman’s comeback. Despite the tumultuous events, the company did not lose a single employee or customer. Altman credited the experience with strengthening the team’s conviction and focus, calling it a “silver lining.”
Notably, Altman refrained from discussing the specific reasons behind his initial firing, deferring to the upcoming independent review by the new board led by Bret Taylor.
Regarding questions about OpenAI’s governance structure and Altman’s potential return to the board, he emphasised a focus on his current responsibilities and the need for time to address governance issues properly.
Altman also acknowledged that the company can function without him, highlighting the strength of the leadership team he either selected or mentored.
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