Microsoft Hires Ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for New AI Team
Microsoft brings on former OpenAI chief Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman to lead a new advanced AI research unit after a dramatic boardroom coup.
Microsoft hires former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman to lead a new advanced AI research team. This move follows a chaotic boardroom coup that ousts Altman from the ChatGPT creator, marking a major shift in the balance of power over artificial intelligence. Microsoft, which holds a $13 billion investment in OpenAI, welcomes the high-profile executives to boost its own innovation in the critical technology sector.
OpenAI experiences significant leadership turbulence as it names its third CEO in just three days. Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, takes over as interim CEO, replacing Mira Murati, who steps back into her original role as chief technology officer. The appointment comes as hundreds of OpenAI employees publish an open letter demanding the resignation of the current board for mishandling Altman's sudden firing.
The hiring ends a weekend of intense speculation that Altman might return to OpenAI after he visited the company's headquarters. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expresses enthusiasm for the new arrangement and notes his anticipation to work with Shear. Investors respond positively to the news, driving Microsoft shares up approximately two percent in premarket trading.