Mira Murati, formerly the chief technology officer of the company, has been appointed as the interim CEO, as announced by OpenAI. The high-profile CEO, Sam Altman, recognized as a prominent figure in the tech industry’s artificial intelligence advancements, has been removed from his position by the board of directors, according to a blog post released by OpenAI on Friday afternoon.
OpenAI stated, “Mr. Altman’s departure follows a thorough review process by the board, revealing a lack of consistent candor in his communications with the board, impeding its ability to fulfill its responsibilities. The board has lost confidence in his capacity to continue leading OpenAI.”
This development marks a significant downturn for Altman, aged 38, who had risen to prominence in the tech industry over the past year as one of its notable executives and intriguing personalities. Last fall, OpenAI triggered an industry-wide frenzy with the launch of the online chatbot ChatGPT.
As a seasoned tech entrepreneur, Altman, with the financial backing of Elon Musk in 2015, played a pivotal role in the establishment of OpenAI. He led the small San Francisco-based company into unique territory, securing substantial funding from Microsoft and garnering envy from tech giants like Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook.
Altman also served as a spokesperson for the industry’s pivot toward AI, testifying before Congress and building rapport with lawmakers and regulators globally. Many within the tech sector view AI as the most significant technological shift in generations, and Altman played a crucial role in generating mainstream enthusiasm for it.
The specifics leading to the board’s decision at OpenAI were not immediately evident beyond the information provided in the official statement. Altman could not be reached for immediate comment. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed, “I loved my time at OpenAI. It was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. Most of all, I loved working with such talented people. Will have more to say about what’s next later.”
