OpenAI’s co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, will be heading a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft following their departure from OpenAI. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, expressed eagerness to support Altman and Brockman in their new venture, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and providing space for founders to build independent identities and cultures.
However, OpenAI’s board opted not to reinstate Altman and Brockman, choosing Emmett Shear, the longtime CEO of Twitch, as the interim leader. This decision has sparked concerns about the future of OpenAI, with predictions of a potential exodus of employees.
The industry response to Altman and Brockman’s departure from OpenAI has been mixed. While Microsoft and some investors express confidence in the co-founders’ new direction, others, including WithSecure Chief Research Officer Mikko Hyppönen, have raised doubts about OpenAI’s survival without Altman. Reports indicate that dozens of OpenAI employees are resigning in the wake of the decision not to bring back Altman and Brockman. Key researchers, such as Jakub Pachocki, Aleksander Madry, and Szymon Sidor, have already followed the co-founders out the door, highlighting potential challenges for OpenAI in retaining its talent pool.
The move comes amid concerns within OpenAI’s board about the rapid pace of the company’s technology development and the potential risks associated with advanced AI.
While Microsoft sees this collaboration as an opportunity to maintain its edge in AI, questions loom over the future of OpenAI and the impact on its partnership with Microsoft.
Emmett Shear, as the interim leader of OpenAI, is expected to navigate the organization through this period of change, but uncertainties persist about the institute’s direction and ability to attract and retain top talent in the AI research landscape.
