The disagreements highlight the challenges of balancing the commercial and research aspects of AI development. OpenAI, which was founded in 2015 with the goal of creating a superintelligent automated system, has struggled with internal friction and disagreements over board replacements. The board's decision to remove Altman has been met with resistance from employees and has led to ongoing discussions about Altman's potential return. However, Altman has rejected proposed measures to improve his communication with the board.
Key takeaways:
- Sam Altman was ousted from OpenAI due to disagreements with the board of directors, including a research paper he believed was critical of the company.
- OpenAI's board has been plagued with friction and disagreements, leading to doubts about the company's continued existence.
- Almost all of OpenAI’s 800 employees have threatened to follow Mr. Altman to Microsoft, where he has been asked to lead an A.I. lab.
- The board's issues can be traced back to the company's nonprofit beginnings and the transition to a for-profit subsidiary, leading to disagreements over fiduciary duties and the company's mission.