Sam Altman, fired from OpenAI just a few days ago, signs for Microsoft to lead an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development team, as announced this Monday by the CEO of the technology giant, Satya Nadella.
Altman was fired last Friday by surprise from OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT and in which Microsoft itself has invested billions – it owns about 49% – after losing the trust of the board of directors, alleging that he had lied to them. He was one of the co-founders of the firm born in 2015. Microsoft had pressed for his reinstatement in office, an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful.
More OpenAI employees who have resigned after being fired or who take the leap to form an advanced AI research team will come from his hand. Among them is Greg Brockman, another founding member of OpenAI who has left the company these days. “The mission continues,” Altman launched on his X (Twitter) profile after learning of his signing.
“I am very excited to have you join as CEO of this new group, which sets a new speed for innovation,” Nadella responded. Microsoft has been working on its own AI research for more than 20 years. Its decision to rely heavily on OpenAI’s technology and provide it with vast computing resources, in some cases on top of its own projects, caused some tension with those working internally on AI.
Microsoft “will act quickly to provide them with the resources necessary for their success,” Nadella added in a post on his social networks. “We’ve learned a lot over the years about how to give founders and innovators space to build independent identities and cultures, and I hope you’ll do the same,” Nadella continued.
Behind Altman’s departure from OpenAI lies a war of currents, between those who defend the deployment of AI and its transformative potential and those who call for caution due to the risks it can generate. Both Altman, 38 years old and one of the great figures of artificial intelligence, and Microsoft were in the first group.
The company co-founded by Bill Gates had unsuccessfully lobbied for Altman’s return to OpenAI. “We remain committed to our alliance with OpenAI and are confident in our roadmap, in our ability to continue innovating and in continuing to support our customers and partners,” Nadella said in any case.
The manager has also confirmed the appointment of Emmett Shear, ex-Twitch, as CEO of OpenAI, replacing Altman and Mira Murati, first appointed on an interim basis. Precipitous changes have shaken the artificial intelligence landscape in just a few days. ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot, has become a phenomenon since its launch and is one of the fastest growing technologies in recent years.
