Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, recently opened up about his tumultuous experience of being fired and then rehired as the company’s chief executive. In an interview with The Verge, Altman shed light on his emotions and decision-making process during this challenging period.
Addressing the reasons behind his initial firing, Altman maintained that the matter is still under investigation and the exact details remain undisclosed. He suggested that inquiries regarding the specific reasons should be directed to the board.
Despite the initial shock and hurt, Altman acknowledged his deep-rooted passion for OpenAI’s mission and the progress they have made. He emphasized his commitment to the company’s goals, stating, “Obviously, I really loved the company and had poured my life force into this for the last four and a half years full time, but really longer than that with most of my time. And we’re making such great progress on the mission I care so much about, the mission of safe and beneficial AGI. Yeah, of course I want to do that.”
Altman’s decision to return to OpenAI after his initial firing was not without its emotional hurdles. He candidly admitted his initial feelings of hurt and anger, stating, “Man, I’m hurt and angry, and I think this sucks. It took me a few minutes to snap out of it and get over the ego and emotions.” However, his passion for OpenAI’s mission and the progress they have made ultimately prevailed.
In a blog post, Altman also expressed his gratitude to OpenAI co-founder and former board member Ilya Sutskever, despite Sutskever’s role in his initial firing. Altman acknowledged Sutskever’s contributions and described him as a “guiding light” and a “gem of a human being.”
Altman also discussed the significant governance change involving Microsoft, OpenAI’s major financial supporter. Microsoft will now have a non-voting observer position on OpenAI’s new board, marking a more direct involvement in the company’s strategic decisions and direction.
Sam Altman’s journey as OpenAI’s CEO has been a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. His willingness to share his experiences and his unwavering commitment to OpenAI’s mission underscore his resilience and leadership qualities. As OpenAI embarks on a new chapter with Altman at the helm, the company remains poised to make significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence.
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