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Altman: OpenAI would've fell apart without Ron Conway and Brian Chesky

Jan 06, 2025 - businessinsider.com
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, wrote a blog post titled "Reflections" detailing his brief ouster from the company in November 2023 and expressing gratitude to Ron Conway and Brian Chesky for their crucial support during that time. Altman was removed by OpenAI's board for not being consistently candid in his communications, but was reinstated five days later after nearly all staff threatened to quit. In his post, Altman credited Conway and Chesky with providing invaluable advice and leveraging their networks to help stabilize OpenAI, stating that the company would have likely fallen apart without their assistance.

Altman described Conway and Chesky's efforts as extraordinary, highlighting their dedication and support as unparalleled. Both individuals are longtime friends of Altman, with Conway being a guest speaker in Altman's Stanford class and Chesky having been mentored by Altman during Airbnb's early days at Y Combinator. Despite considering launching another AI startup, Altman was advised by Conway and Chesky to fight for his position at OpenAI. Conway criticized the board's decision to fire Altman as reckless and based on unfireable offenses, emphasizing the emotional nature of the board's actions.

Key takeaways:

  • Sam Altman credited Ron Conway and Brian Chesky for preventing OpenAI from falling apart during his brief ouster in 2023.
  • Altman was fired as OpenAI's CEO on November 17, 2023, but returned on November 22, 2023, after staff threatened to quit.
  • Conway and Chesky provided significant support and advice to Altman, leveraging their networks to assist him during the crisis.
  • Altman considered starting a new AI venture after his firing but was advised against it by Conway and Chesky.
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