Former chief technology officer Mira Murati has been appointed as the new chief executive of OpenAI.
Sam Altman, the renowned CEO of OpenAI who became a prominent figure in the tech industry’s artificial intelligence sector, has been dismissed by the board of directors, as stated in a blog post released on Friday afternoon.
The organization disclosed that Mira Murati, previously serving as the company’s chief technology officer, has now assumed the role of chief executive officer.
In a statement, the company mentioned, “Mr. Altman’s departure comes after a thorough review process by the committee, which found issues with his transparency in communications, impeding the board’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities.” The committee has lost confidence in his leadership capabilities.
At 38 years old, Mr. Altman, who had recently gained significant recognition within the software industry, is deeply affected by the board’s decision.
A seasoned tech entrepreneur, Mr. Altman played a key role in establishing OpenAI in 2015 with financial backing from Elon Musk. Backed by substantial investments from Microsoft and admired by tech giants like Google and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, he steered the small San Francisco startup into uncharted waters.
Furthermore, he became a prominent advocate for the tech industry’s pivot towards artificial intelligence, testifying before Congress and garnering support from officials and legislators worldwide.
The specific reasons behind OpenAI board’s decision remain undisclosed. Attempts to reach Mr. Altman for comment were unsuccessful.
Mr. Altman spoke at an event in Oakland, California, on Thursday night, discussing the potential for AI to generate art autonomously, including images, videos, sounds, and other forms of creative content. Despite his statements about ongoing collaborations with artists, there was no indication of his impending departure from the company.
Greg Brockman, who co-founded OpenAI with Mr. Altman, will step down as the company’s president but will retain his position as chairman, reporting directly to the CEO.
The interim CEO, Mira Murati, is seen alongside Mr. Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever, all key figures within the company. (Image: The New York Times, Jim Wilson)
Last year, OpenAI introduced the chatbot ChatGPT, causing a stir in the AI industry. The bot garnered millions of users, showcasing its ability to compose poetry, provide answers, and engage in discussions on various topics.
The unveiling of ChatGPT marked the industry’s embrace of what is known as generative artificial intelligence, capable of independently creating text, images, and other media. These advancements, stemming from years of research at companies like OpenAI and Google, are poised to revolutionize everything from online applications to search engines.
OpenAI is currently in discussions to finalize a new funding round that would value the company at over $80 billion, nearly three times its previous valuation from just a year ago.
