"'ChatGPT Father' Sam Altman Returns for Discussion a Day After Dismissal... 'Investors Pressure Board to Revoke'"

Discussion of Return One Day After Dismissal Reported
Bloomberg "Investors Pressure Board to Revoke Dismissal Decision"

Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, reportedly met with investors to discuss plans for a new artificial intelligence (AI) startup immediately after being fired on the 17th (local time), according to The New York Times. At the same time, media reports emerged that OpenAI's board was discussing with Altman whether he would return just one day after dismissing him as CEO.

Sam Altman, former OpenAI CEO [Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

On the 18th (local time), The New York Times and The Information reported that Altman, right after his dismissal, began planning the new AI startup and was selecting key talent from OpenAI. In fact, three senior researchers at OpenAI resigned alongside Altman after his ousting.

However, it is not known whether three other senior researchers who left OpenAI immediately after Altman's dismissal have joined the new venture. According to the media, sources said that Greg Brockman, former OpenAI co-founder who left with Altman, is also pushing forward with this effort. Altman has not confirmed the facts, but his new startup initiative had been known for several months.

Altman is reportedly aiming to develop devices that provide a "more natural and intuitive user experience" for interacting with AI, together with Ive. However, it has not been confirmed whether this new startup initiative is directly related to Altman's recent dismissal.

Earlier, OpenAI's board stated when dismissing Altman on the 17th that they "were not confident in his ability to continue leading the company" and concluded that "Altman's continued lack of transparency in communication hindered the board's ability to fulfill its responsibilities."

OpenAI [Photo by AFP Yonhap News Archive]

It was understood that Altman received a text message to attend the board meeting that dismissed him only the night before his firing.

The aftermath of Altman's dismissal has been significant. Internally, the term "coup" was used, and Greg Brockman, the board chairman, along with three senior researchers, left the company one after another. The stock sale process that OpenAI was pursuing has also inevitably been disrupted.

There were reports that Altman might return. On the 18th, The Verge, a U.S. IT media outlet, cited multiple sources familiar with the matter saying this.

Bloomberg reported that OpenAI investors are pressuring the board to reverse the dismissal decision and some have sought help from Microsoft (MS), OpenAI's largest shareholder. Representatives from OpenAI and MS declined to comment on Altman's potential return.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.