Sam Altman, who was dismissed from his position on Friday afternoon, swiftly embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture with another professional from OpenAI.
As per sources familiar with his intentions, Sam Altman, the tech investor ousted as CEO of OpenAI by the board of directors last Friday, is currently pitching a novel artificial intelligence startup to potential buyers.
The individuals, speaking anonymously due to the confidential nature of the venture, revealed that Mr. Altman plans to co-found the venture with Greg Brockman, his longtime associate and former OpenAI executive who resigned in solidarity.
Details regarding Mr. Altman and Mr. Brockman’s nascent enterprise remain scarce due to the ongoing development phase. The duo is exploring various avenues, indicating that plans are subject to rapid evolution.
Following his abrupt removal from OpenAI’s helm, Mr. Altman and Mr. Brockman wasted no time and initiated discussions with investors for their upcoming venture on the very evening of their departure. The preliminary insights into their new endeavor were initially disclosed by The Knowledge.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Mr. Altman proved futile, while Mr. Brockman refrained from an immediate response. OpenAI chose not to address the matter.
Sources suggest that Mr. Altman and Mr. Brockman dedicated Friday night to outlining their business blueprint and deliberating on potential recruits from OpenAI. Several insiders, seeking anonymity, disclosed that at least three OpenAI employees have tendered their resignations recently.
In a somewhat satirical gesture aimed at OpenAI’s leadership on social media, Mr. Altman either hinted at a rebellious stance or openly discussed the unfolding events.
Prominent tech investors have rallied behind Mr. Altman, signaling their support for his forthcoming entrepreneurial endeavor.
Alfred Lin, an entrepreneur at Sequoia Capital, a firm with investments in OpenAI and Mr. Altman’s previous startup, Loopt, expressed anticipation for the “next world-changing venture” from the duo. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt echoed this sentiment, eagerly anticipating their future endeavors.
The introduction of ChatGPT by OpenAI last year catalyzed a surge in AI innovation, attracting significant investments from Silicon Valley venture capital firms.
In recent months, Mr. Altman has been sharing various concepts for new projects with stakeholders and external parties. During a recent fundraising tour, where he engaged with potential investors from the Middle East, discussions revolved around AI-related ventures, including the development of custom chips to rival Nvidia.
Furthermore, talks centered on a collaborative effort with Jony Ive, the former Chief Design Officer at Apple, and Masayoshi Son, the CEO and billionaire founder of SoftBank, to create an advanced AI system.
