Sam Altman reveals why he was fired and then re-hired as OpenAI CEO: After days of boardroom turmoil at Microsoft-backed company OpenAI, Sam Altman returned as CEO of the artificial intelligence firm on November 30. He was reinstated to the top post after being fired from the company on November 17. In an interview with The Verge, Altman revealed the reason why he was fired as OpenAI CEO and why he decided to accept the board’s offer. The techie revealed that he was hurt and angry but ultimately decided to accept the post once again.
We are making good progress on AI mission
Sam Altman revealed in the interview that when he first got the offer to become the CEO of OpenAI once again, it took him some time to get over his ego and emotions. Ultimately, he decided to accept the proposal put before him. Obviously, I really liked the company and have put all my energy into it for the last four and a half years, but have actually spent even more of my time with it. And we are making such good progress on this mission that I care very much about the mission of safe and beneficial AGI, he said in the interview.
Differences of opinion regarding AI security
OpenAI was ousted on November 17, after company board members said there were differences of opinion between Altman and top management over their opinions on AI safety, adding that the CEO had not been completely forthright with the board. When asked why he was fired from OpenAI last month, Sam Altman chose to avoid providing internal details of the decision. He also said he welcomed an independent investigation into his dismissal, led by OpenAI’s Brett Taylor.
The team showed solidarity for Sam Altman
Speaking about accepting the position once again, Altman told The Verge, “It was really interesting. Some people from the board called me and asked if I was ready to talk about this. Let us tell you that Sam Altman was dismissed from the post of CEO of OpenAI on November 17. When ChatGPT creator announced this in a blogpost. Greg Brockman and three other senior executives at the firm resigned in solidarity, causing an uproar at the board.
OpenAI employees threatened
A few days later, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman was being appointed to head the AI research program at the firm. However, OpenAI employees threatened to resign if Altman was not reinstated to the top position. While many directors opposed his return, Sam Altman was once again offered the CEO position at OpenAI, with Brett Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo as new board members.