Sam Altman exits as CEO of OpenAI following loss of confidence from board members

OpenAI’s board of directors announced on Friday that Sam Altman would be stepping down as CEO, and that he would be replaced by Mira Murati. The company cited a lack of consistent communication and lack of transparency in its decision.

The board also stated that OpenAI’s president, Greg Brockman, would be stepping down as chairman of the board but would remain in his position as president. Microsoft’s shares fell 1.7% in response to the announcement.

OpenAI has gained significant mainstream attention for its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, as well as for securing significant funding from Microsoft. The company was ranked first on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list in 2023 and has been instrumental in driving investment in generative AI by major tech companies like Alphabet and Meta.

Microsoft confirmed its ongoing partnership with OpenAI, expressing support for the leadership change. OpenAI was established as a non-profit in 2015 with financial backing from Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Sam Altman, who was previously the president of startup accelerator Y Combinator, has been a prominent figure in the AI industry and has represented the sector worldwide. Earlier this year, he was awarded the “Golden Visa” by Indonesia and has been an advocate for the advancement of AI and the need for regulation during his travels in Asia-Pacific countries.

Altman’s leadership transition at OpenAI marks a significant shift for the company as it continues to drive innovation in AI technology.