OpenAI Taps Former Twitch Chief Emmett Shear as New Interim CEO
OpenAI appoints ex-Twitch boss Emmett Shear as interim CEO following the sudden ouster of Sam Altman, marking another dramatic shift in a chaotic weekend for the AI startup.
OpenAI appoints former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear as its new interim leader, taking over just two days after the sudden removal of Sam Altman. The board initially replaces Altman with technology chief Mira Murati on Friday, citing a lack of consistent candor in his communications, before ultimately selecting Shear to guide the prominent AI startup.
Shear accepts the role, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" because of the company's critical importance in the artificial intelligence field. However, he openly criticizes the board's handling of Altman's departure, noting that the messy process damages trust and clarifying that the ouster does not stem from specific disagreements over AI safety.
The new interim CEO outlines a 30-day plan that includes a full investigation into the events leading to the leadership crisis and potential changes to the company's governance. Shear also reassures stakeholders that OpenAI's crucial partnership with Microsoft remains strong, while Altman prepares to lead a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft.