The Blip: A Turbulent Chapter in OpenAI’s History
Zoë Schiffer: It really started on November 17th, this Friday afternoon when Sam Altman, the CEO of the company, gets what he says is the most surprising, shocking, and difficult news of his professional career.
The Unexpected Firing
[archival audio]: The shock dismissal of former boss, Sam Altman.
Zoë Schiffer: The board at OpenAI, which at the time was a nonprofit, has lost confidence in him, it says. Despite the fact that the company is by all measures doing incredibly well, he’s out. He’s no longer going to lead the company.
Consequences of the Firing
Michael Calore: He’s effectively fired from the company that he cofounded.
Zoë Schiffer: Yeah. That immediately sets off a chain reaction of events. His cofounder and president of the company, Greg Brockman, resigns in solidarity. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says that Sam Altman is actually going to join Microsoft and lead an advanced AI research team there. Then we see almost the entire employee base at OpenAI sign a letter saying, “Wait, wait, wait. If Sam leaves, we’re leaving, too.”
The Crisis Unfolds
[archival audio]: Some 500 of these 700-odd employees—
[archival audio]: … threatening to quit over the board’s abrupt firing of OpenAI’s popular CEO, Sam Altman.
The Aftermath
Zoë Schiffer: Eventually there’s this back and forth tense negotiation between Sam Altman and the board of directors, and eventually the board then installs Mira Murati, the CTO, as the interim CEO. Then shortly after that, Sam is able to reach an agreement with the board and he returns as CEO and the board looks instantly different, with Brett Taylor and Larry Summers joining, Adam D’Angelo staying, and the rest of the board leaving.
Conclusion
The events that transpired in November 2023, which came to be known as the “blip,” were a tumultuous period in OpenAI’s history. The sudden and unexpected firing of CEO Sam Altman sent shockwaves through the company, leading to a chain reaction of resignations and tensions. Ultimately, the crisis was resolved with Sam’s return as CEO, but the experience served as a reminder of the importance of effective leadership and communication within the organization.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Sam Altman after his firing?
A: Sam Altman was reinstated as CEO of OpenAI after a tense negotiation with the board of directors.
Q: What was the impact of the firing on OpenAI employees?
A: The sudden firing of Sam Altman led to a significant exodus of employees, with nearly 500 of the company’s 700 staff members threatening to quit.
Q: Who was installed as interim CEO during the crisis?
A: Mira Murati, the CTO of OpenAI, was installed as interim CEO during the crisis.
Q: How did the crisis ultimately resolve?
A: The crisis was resolved with Sam Altman’s return as CEO, and the addition of new board members Brett Taylor and Larry Summers, and the departure of the rest of the board.
