Sam Altman, the former CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, will join Microsoft to lead a new artificial intelligence team, the tech giant announced.
Satya Nadella, the CEO and Chairman of Microsoft, announced on Monday that Altman, OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, and other former OpenAI employees will lead a “new advanced AI research team” at the company.
(Image source : AP)
Microsoft CEO announces his appointment
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced Altman’s appointment on X, saying, “We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. “ We are excited to meet Emmett Shear and the new leadership team at OAI and collaborate with them. And we’re excited to announce that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources they need for success,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stated. In addition to Sam Altman, Greg Brockman will join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed that Altman, along with his ex-colleague Greg Brockman, will be joining the parent company. According to Nadella, both will be in charge of a new advanced AI research team. Sam Altman rejoined Microsoft on Monday, just days after stepping down as CEO.
Nadella also seemed to confirm Emmett Shear’s reported appointment as the new CEO of OpenAI, saying they are “looking forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI’s new leadership team and working with them.”
(Image source : X)
About Sam Altman, ex-CEO of OpenAI
Sam Altman is an entrepreneur known for his innovative and cutting-edge views on artificial intelligence. From 2019 to 2023, Altman was the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI.
Altman became interested in the tech world at a young age, learning how to code and disassemble a Macintosh computer at the age of eight. He dropped out of Stanford University after being accepted, to develop his own mobile app Loopt, eventually rising to the top and making his way to OpenAI.
Sam Altman previously led WorldCoin and Y Combinator in addition to Microsoft-owned OpenAI. Altman was also the CEO of Reddit for only eight days after Yishan Wong resigned.
Although Sam Altman’s departure from Microsoft-owned OpenAI was unexpected, the board unanimously decided to let him go. According to some reports, Altman was rehired the day after he was fired, but Nadella asked him to head Microsoft’s AI research group.
Reason for firing Altman
Earlier this month, the OpenAI board decided to remove Altman from his CEO role. The board stated that, Altman did not communicate openly with them. According to the OpenAI board, Altman held a different perspective on AI safety, which went against the company’s beliefs. The former CEO’s tense relationship with the board was exacerbated by his pursuit of side projects.
Sam Altman is an expert in the field of artificial intelligence research, however some of his opinions ran counter to those of the OpenAI board. According to reports, Altman was raising money for a competing artificial intelligence company, but it’s widely believed that Nadella drew him back in exclusively because of his background in the field.
