Sam Altman has just been fired at OpenAI.
As a result, co-founder Greg Brockman and three senior AI researchers have quit following the departure (so far).
While most details unknown, here's EVERYTHING we know so far:
As a result, co-founder Greg Brockman and three senior AI researchers have quit following the departure (so far).
While most details unknown, here's EVERYTHING we know so far:
First, there's a lot to cover here and still many unknowns.
With that being said, I'll start with the confirmed facts, then follow by the speculation.
As more details unravel, I'll add to this thread.
Bookmark this post, and follow me @rowancheung to join stay updated.
With that being said, I'll start with the confirmed facts, then follow by the speculation.
As more details unravel, I'll add to this thread.
Bookmark this post, and follow me @rowancheung to join stay updated.
CONFIRMED:
On Friday evening, OpenAI put out a blog post stating that 'the board' (more on the board later) had fired CEO Sam Altman and that Mira Murati would be stepping up as interim CEO.
The blog post was nothing short of vicious. x.com
On Friday evening, OpenAI put out a blog post stating that 'the board' (more on the board later) had fired CEO Sam Altman and that Mira Murati would be stepping up as interim CEO.
The blog post was nothing short of vicious. x.com
CONFIRMED:
Shortly after the news broke out, Sam Altman put out a tweet confirming he got fired.
He also said he "will have more to say about whatβs next later" leading to further speculation.
x.com
Shortly after the news broke out, Sam Altman put out a tweet confirming he got fired.
He also said he "will have more to say about whatβs next later" leading to further speculation.
x.com
@gdb @sama CONFIRMED:
Sam Altman stated in an interview with @emilychangtv in June 2023 that:
"No one person should be trusted here. The board can fire me, I think that's important." x.com
Sam Altman stated in an interview with @emilychangtv in June 2023 that:
"No one person should be trusted here. The board can fire me, I think that's important." x.com
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv CONFIRMED:
As reported by The Information, the ousting was likely orchestrated by Ilya Sutskever.
Ilya told employees: "This was the board doing its duty to the mission of the nonprofit"
As reported by The Information, the ousting was likely orchestrated by Ilya Sutskever.
Ilya told employees: "This was the board doing its duty to the mission of the nonprofit"
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv CONFIRMED:
Reported by Kara Swisher, the increasing tensions between Ilya vs. Sam and Greg over role and influence got the board on his side.
DevDay and how the GPT Store was introduced was an "inflection moment of Altman pushing too far, too fast." x.com
Reported by Kara Swisher, the increasing tensions between Ilya vs. Sam and Greg over role and influence got the board on his side.
DevDay and how the GPT Store was introduced was an "inflection moment of Altman pushing too far, too fast." x.com
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv CONFIRMED:
On September 29th, Ilya Sutskever tweeted:
"Ego is the enemy of growth" x.com
On September 29th, Ilya Sutskever tweeted:
"Ego is the enemy of growth" x.com
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv CONFIRMED:
As reported by Axios, COO of OpenAI, Brad Lightcap said the firing was not a result of "malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices" but rather a "breakdown in communications between Sam Altman and the board"
As reported by Axios, COO of OpenAI, Brad Lightcap said the firing was not a result of "malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices" but rather a "breakdown in communications between Sam Altman and the board"
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv SPECULATION:
They achieved AGI, which scared Ilya, leading to his 'Oppenheimer moment.'
The day before his fire, @sama said they made a massive discovery in the last 2 weeks:
They achieved AGI, which scared Ilya, leading to his 'Oppenheimer moment.'
The day before his fire, @sama said they made a massive discovery in the last 2 weeks:
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv On November 6th, Ilya Sutskever tweeted:
"if you value intelligence above all other human qualities, youβre gonna have a bad time"
This would add up towards the timeline of 2 weeks.
x.com
"if you value intelligence above all other human qualities, youβre gonna have a bad time"
This would add up towards the timeline of 2 weeks.
x.com
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv Further speculation:
Another theory has emerged that there was a major data leak.
However, it wouldnβt add up that OpenAI promoted the CTO if this happened.
Another theory has emerged that there was a major data leak.
However, it wouldnβt add up that OpenAI promoted the CTO if this happened.
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv More speculation:
A recent Tweet from Sama after his departure started with "i love you all"
i love you all = short for ILYA?
x.com
A recent Tweet from Sama after his departure started with "i love you all"
i love you all = short for ILYA?
x.com
@gdb @sama @emilychangtv Here's what I expect is coming next:
-OpenAI's board will speak out on their side of the story
-More OpenAI researchers will disagree and leave
-Sam and Greg will start a new AI company/competitor
-Competitors like Grok, Gemini, and Claude will benefit most as startups shift
-OpenAI's board will speak out on their side of the story
-More OpenAI researchers will disagree and leave
-Sam and Greg will start a new AI company/competitor
-Competitors like Grok, Gemini, and Claude will benefit most as startups shift
Doing a further breakdown of everything we know in Monday's newsletter.
Subscribe to get it straight to your inbox: therundown.ai
I'll also be adding to this thread as news comes out, so follow me @rowancheung + bookmark to stay updated π
x.com
Subscribe to get it straight to your inbox: therundown.ai
I'll also be adding to this thread as news comes out, so follow me @rowancheung + bookmark to stay updated π
x.com
Another massive plot twist released just a few minutes ago.
OpenAI board is in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO.
Is Microsoft pressuring OpenAI? Was this whole thing just a massive PR play?
More to comeβ¦
OpenAI board is in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO.
Is Microsoft pressuring OpenAI? Was this whole thing just a massive PR play?
More to comeβ¦
More info on the RETURN of Sam Altman.
The entire board could "resign as soon as this weekend."
Looks like the board pissed off the wrong investors with the completely blindsided move.
x.com
The entire board could "resign as soon as this weekend."
Looks like the board pissed off the wrong investors with the completely blindsided move.
x.com
The plot thickens.
The staff at OpenAI set up an ultimatum for the entire board to resign and allow Sam Altman and Greg to return by 5PM.
Or else... they quit and join Sam in his new company.
It's currently PAST that deadline.
x.com
The staff at OpenAI set up an ultimatum for the entire board to resign and allow Sam Altman and Greg to return by 5PM.
Or else... they quit and join Sam in his new company.
It's currently PAST that deadline.
x.com
More news just surfaced.
Sam Altman made a tweet, and hundreds of OpenAI employees are not quote tweeting with a β€οΈ
This means 1 of 3 things:
1. The team has quit following Sam to his new company
2. The board has resigned and Sam and Greg are back
3. Public pressure by the team to show loyalty to Sam with their ultimatum to the board
Sam Altman made a tweet, and hundreds of OpenAI employees are not quote tweeting with a β€οΈ
This means 1 of 3 things:
1. The team has quit following Sam to his new company
2. The board has resigned and Sam and Greg are back
3. Public pressure by the team to show loyalty to Sam with their ultimatum to the board
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