Removed on Friday from the head of OpenAI, the company he co-founded, Sam Altman was named CEO of the Californian firm behind ChatGPT, during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. The epilogue of an incredible soap opera?
This is perhaps the shortest but also the most intense technological series that you have been able to attend in a very, very long time: arriving on Friday from the head of OpenAI, Sam Altman, its historic co-founder, is already back! The Chicago native is reclaiming his position as president and CEO, the company announced this Wednesday morning. And be careful, because he doesn’t come back alone.
The employees have won, Sam Altman makes his comeback at the head of OpenAI
There is no end to the twists and turns around OpenAI. Finally, this time, it seems that we are heading towards a more peaceful situation, after a marathon of less than a week which notably saw the sidelining of Sam Altman, his arrival at Microsoft and even Elon Musk’s not-so-surprising foray into the debate.
But obviously, the ultimatum of some 700 employees among the 770 who make up OpenAI’s workforce was stronger. The latter simply threatened to resign if the prodigal son did not return. Many also wanted to join Altman at Microsoft, which was preparing to hire brains at the same salary as at OpenAI. They finally won their case!
Early this morning (and at the very end of the day in San Francisco, where the company is headquartered), OpenAI announced what could be the final twist in the Altman saga!
Altman surrounds himself with the co-creator of Google Maps as president
“ We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO, with a new board of directors consisting of Bret Taylor, Larry Summers and Adam D’Angelo », Wrote the firm specializing in artificial intelligence, a few hours ago on social networks. Bret Taylor (co-creator of Google Maps, ex-Twitter and ex-Salesforce), becomes president of OpenAI and replaces Greg Brockman as number 2.
Sam Altman, for his part, added that he loved OpenAI, and that everything he had accomplished in recent days had only one goal: “ keep this team and its mission united “. The businessman even specified that when he joined Microsoft on Sunday evening, “ it was clear that this was the best path for (him) and the team “.
The former and therefore new boss of OpenAI does not forget Microsoft. “ I look forward to returning to OpenAI and strengthening our strong partnership with Microsoft “, he declared, welcoming the support of Satya Nadella, who is none other than the boss of the firm at the window. And if all of this… No, we’ll let you form your own opinion!
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