Sam Altman Fired Then Hired, Satya Nadella GOAT & more | AI News Briefing | 20.11.2023
AI News Briefing
Hello, from Adepto.
Today is Monday, November 20th, and this is your AI News Briefing.
Firstly, we'll be addressing the recent upheaval at OpenAI, including the firing and subsequent events involving Sam Altman.
Transitioning over to the achievements of Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, in the wake of this OpenAI drama.
Switching gears to our AI Startup of the Week, Atlas, and its innovative 3D Generative AI Technology.
Following that, we'll discuss three other AI news of the week.
I am Adelina Pato, and here are the AI news you need to stay ahead.. OpenAI, a leader in the AI industry, was at the center of a major upheaval starting Thursday, November 16th, when Ilya Sutskever, Co-Founder, Chief Scientist, and Board Member, messaged CEO Sam Altman to schedule a meeting for the next day. The events that unfolded over the weekend have left the tech world in shock.
Thursday, Nov. 16: The unexpected message from Ilya Sutskever to Sam Altman sets the stage for the dramatic events to come.
Friday, Nov. 17: At noon, Sam Altman attends a meeting with the OpenAI board, minus Greg Brockman. In a shocking turn of events, Altman is fired by the board, consisting of Ilya Sutskever, Adam D'angelo, Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner. Greg Brockman is informed of this decision at 12:23 PM. Shortly thereafter, at 12:25 PM, OpenAI announces a leadership transition. The stated reason for Altman's dismissal is a lack of candor in his communications with the board. This announcement causes ripples across the tech industry, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella issuing a statement to stabilize market reactions. In a subsequent development, Greg Brockman resigns from OpenAI, followed by several senior executives.
Saturday, Nov. 18: OpenAI's COO, Brad Lightcap, clarifies that the firing was not due to any malfeasance or issues related to the company's financial, business, safety, security, or privacy practices, but rather a breakdown in communication between Altman and the board. Meanwhile, Altman starts planning a new AI chip venture with Greg Brockman. Amidst these events, pressure mounts from investors, notably Microsoft, to reinstate Altman as CEO. The board tentatively agrees to resign to allow Altman and Brockman to return.
Sunday, Nov. 19: Despite the initial agreement, discussions to reinstate Altman as CEO collapse due to the board's unwillingness to compromise. As a result, Twitch boss Emmett Shear steps in as the new interim CEO of OpenAI. This decision leads to a significant number of OpenAI employees resigning after Sutskever announces Altman won't return. In a final twist, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team.
Takeaway: The exact reasons behind Sam Altman's firing remain a subject of speculation and debate. While some theories suggest involvement with a Chinese cyber army group, the more plausible explanation seems to be a fundamental disagreement over OpenAI’s approach to safety, highlighting the tension between the non-profit (represented by Ilya Sutskever) and for-profit (represented by Sam Altman) aspects of the company.
