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What Happened in the World of Artificial Intelligence? What Happened in the World of Artificial Intelligence?
(7 days later)
The abrupt ouster of Sam Altman on Friday as chief executive of OpenAI, one of the world’s most prominent A.I. companies and the maker of ChatGPT, set off a head-spinning series of twists that culminated late Tuesday with Mr. Altman’s reinstatement at the company he founded and pledges to overhaul the way OpenAI is run.The abrupt ouster of Sam Altman on Friday as chief executive of OpenAI, one of the world’s most prominent A.I. companies and the maker of ChatGPT, set off a head-spinning series of twists that culminated late Tuesday with Mr. Altman’s reinstatement at the company he founded and pledges to overhaul the way OpenAI is run.
The turmoil highlighted an unresolved debate over artificial intelligence, which many see as the most important new technology since web browsers but also a potential source of danger if misused.The turmoil highlighted an unresolved debate over artificial intelligence, which many see as the most important new technology since web browsers but also a potential source of danger if misused.
Here’s what you need to know about Mr. Altman’s departure, his return and what could happen next.Here’s what you need to know about Mr. Altman’s departure, his return and what could happen next.
On Friday, Mr. Altman was dismissed as OpenAI’s chief executive. A dispute with a colleague appears to have played a role.On Friday, Mr. Altman was dismissed as OpenAI’s chief executive. A dispute with a colleague appears to have played a role.
Ilya Sutskever, a board member who founded OpenAI with Mr. Altman and several others, was said to be growing alarmed that the company’s technology could pose a significant risk, and that Mr. Altman was not paying close enough attention to the potential harms. He and three other members of OpenAI’s six-member board decided to dismiss Mr. Altman.Ilya Sutskever, a board member who founded OpenAI with Mr. Altman and several others, was said to be growing alarmed that the company’s technology could pose a significant risk, and that Mr. Altman was not paying close enough attention to the potential harms. He and three other members of OpenAI’s six-member board decided to dismiss Mr. Altman.
The board was tight-lipped about its reasons, noting only that Mr. Altman “was not consistently candid in his communications with the board.” Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president who along with Mr. Altman also served on the company’s board, quit in protest.
The firing led to confusion among employees at OpenAI, and distress among the company’s investors. Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion in the company, was said to be particularly alarmed and with other investors pressed the board over the weekend to reinstate Mr. Altman, without success.