OpenAI CEO Firing: Inside Story of Dramatic Events and Altman's Return

In a bombshell turn of events, OpenAI's board fired co-founder and CEO Sam Altman on November 17, 2023. This decision sent shockwaves through the tech industry, especially considering the immense success of ChatGPT, one of the fastest-growing applications ever launched under Altman's leadership.

OpenAI Board Loses Trust in Altman: A Breach of Transparency

New details about the dramatic events surrounding Altman's ousting and reinstatement have recently emerged. Helen Toner, a former OpenAI board member, shed light on the situation in an interview on The TED AI Show podcast. According to Toner, several factors eroded the board's trust in Altman.

• Undisclosed Conflict of Interest: The board discovered Altman failed to disclose his ownership of the OpenAI Startup Fund, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest.

• Lack of Transparency on Safety Protocols: Accusations arose regarding Sam Altman allegedly providing inaccurate information about the company's safety protocols for advanced AI models like ChatGPT.

• Targeting Board Members: Toner claims Altman targeted her personally for publishing research he disagreed with. She alleges he even resorted to "lying to other board members" in an attempt to remove her.

"Toxic Workplace" Allegations and Concerns Over ChatGPT Launch

Toner recounted a particularly disturbing incident where two executives reported experiencing a "toxic atmosphere" at OpenAI under Altman's leadership. They accused him of "psychological abuse" and provided evidence of manipulative behavior. These allegations, coupled with the lack of transparency surrounding the launch of ChatGPT (the board reportedly learned about it through Twitter!), ultimately led to the board's decision to fire Altman.

Altman's Reinstatement: A Controversial Return

The podcast doesn't delve into the immediate aftermath of the firing. However, Toner sheds light on the factors that likely contributed to Altman's swift return as CEO just weeks later.

• Employee Pressure and Investor Influence: OpenAI went through a period of rapid change with interim CEOs and significant employee pressure to reinstate Altman. Microsoft, OpenAI's main financial backer, reportedly also supported his return.

Reasons Behind Altman's Reinstatement: Fear and a Pattern of Behavior?

Toner suggests three reasons for the strong push for Altman's return, raising further questions:

• Limited Options for Employees: Toner suggests employees may have been presented with a "false choice": support Altman or risk the company's future. This could explain why over 95% of employees reportedly backed his return, according to OpenAI's current board chair.

• Employee Fear: Witnessing Altman's alleged behavior towards Toner may have instilled fear in some employees, making them hesitant to oppose his reinstatement.

• A Pattern of Problematic Behavior?: Toner points to reports of Altman's past, including a previously undisclosed firing from Y Combinator and alleged attempts by his former startup's management team to remove him due to concerning behavior.

OpenAI Responds: Focus on the Future

OpenAI's current board chair, Bret Taylor, responded to the allegations in the podcast. He maintains that an independent review found the previous board's decision to fire Altman was unrelated to product safety, finances, or investor relations.

Taylor emphasizes the high level of employee support for Altman's reinstatement (over 95%) and concludes by stating the board's focus is on moving forward and fulfilling OpenAI's mission.