Sam Altman firing drama detailed in new book excerpt

A forthcoming book, “The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future,” offers previously undisclosed details concerning the brief removal of Sam Altman as Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI by the organization’s board in 2023. This excerpt sheds light on internal deliberations and the sequence of events leading to Altman’s temporary departure and swift reinstatement as OpenAI CEO.

Board Concerns Regarding Altman’s Conduct

Startup Fund Controversy

The book, authored by a Wall Street Journal reporter, reveals that board members at the non-profit OpenAI grew increasingly uneasy upon learning of various issues. A key point of contention was the OpenAI Startup Fund, which, it emerged, was privately controlled by Altman. This financial arrangement reportedly raised questions among the board about potential conflicts of interest and transparency.

Allegations of Misleading Behavior

Simultaneously, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever and then Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati were purportedly gathering evidence of what they perceived as Altman’s problematic and dishonest behavior. This evidence reportedly included screenshots from Murati’s Slack communication channels, documenting instances that fuelled their concerns about Altman’s leadership and trustworthiness.

Disputed Legal Counsel Claim

One specific instance cited in the book involves allegations that Altman misrepresented the company’s legal stance on GPT-4 Turbo. Altman allegedly stated that the legal department had indicated that GPT-4 Turbo did not require review by the joint safety board. However, this claim was refuted by the company’s top lawyer, adding to the board’s apprehension.

Board Action and Subsequent Reversal

Fueled by the evidence presented by Sutskever, the board subsequently acted to remove Altman from his position and appointed Murati as interim CEO. However, this decision quickly faced strong internal opposition. A significant number of OpenAI employees, including both Sutskever and Murati, signed a letter insisting on Altman’s reinstatement.

Employee Backlash and Altman’s Return

The widespread employee support for Altman underscored the board’s miscalculation. Within days, Altman was reinstated as CEO. Following these events, both Sutskever and Murati departed OpenAI to pursue their own entrepreneurial ventures, marking a significant leadership reshuffle at the prominent artificial intelligence research organization.