Altman's firing led to backlash from investors and employees, with threats of mass resignation and potential legal action. Despite his reinstatement, there are concerns about the new board's interpretation of their directive to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity. Critics argue that the lack of diversity and deep knowledge about responsible use of AI in human society is not a promising start for such an influential AI company.
Key takeaways:
- OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman has been reinstated after a power struggle that saw him fired, causing unrest among the tech company's employees and investors.
- The new board of directors at OpenAI is less diverse, being entirely white and male, which has raised concerns about the company's founding philanthropic aims being co-opted by capitalist interests.
- OpenAI's unusual structure, tied to a nonprofit with a majority stake in the for-profit side, has been retained with investors' profits capped and the board free to make decisions that aren't revenue-driven.
- There is criticism and concern over the lack of diversity on the new board, with AI academics and experts voicing their frustrations and questioning the company's commitment to developing artificial general intelligence that 'benefits all of humanity'.