OpenAI Majority Staff Threaten Mass Resignation Unless Sam Altman is Reinstated

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A staff uprising at OpenAI has prompted a significant backlash against the board’s decision to oust CEO Sam Altman. Over 500 of OpenAI’s 770 employees signed a letter expressing discontent with the board’s handling of Altman’s dismissal, stating that the directors had undermined the company’s mission. Following unsuccessful talks for Altman’s reinstatement, Microsoft hired Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman to lead a new AI unit. However, Altman remains optimistic about OpenAI’s future and is working with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to ensure continuity. The company’s staff is now demanding the resignation of current board members for a smooth transition.

The revolt has already gained support from one board member, Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, who expressed regret for his role in firing Altman. The employees’ counter-coup seeks the resignation of all current board members and the appointment of two new lead independent directors. Meanwhile, prominent investors like Vinod Khosla and Josh Kushner have criticized the board’s decision, with the share sale of OpenAI employees in jeopardy. The upheaval comes after OpenAI’s pivotal role in the AI industry, marked by the success of its ChatGPT chatbot, which triggered significant investments and technological advancements. The exact reason for Altman’s ousting remains unclear, with concerns about his commitment to OpenAI’s mission cited as a contributing factor.