Confusion continues inside and outside the industry following the sudden dismissal of Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI and the "father of ChatGPT," which sparked a global generative artificial intelligence (AI) craze. Amid discussions of his reinstatement due to backlash from investors including the largest shareholder Microsoft (MS), there are also speculations that Altman may establish a new company. Reports have also emerged that he was pursuing the establishment of an independent AI semiconductor company just before his dismissal.
First, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 19th (local time), citing sources, that OpenAI investors including MS and Tribe Capital have been moving quickly since the 17th to reinstate Altman, who was removed from the CEO position, and that Altman himself is considering a return. According to sources, Altman has communicated to investors that he wants a new board and governance structure if he returns. Separately, he is also discussing the possibility of establishing a new company together with colleagues such as co-founder Greg Brockman, who resigned immediately after Altman's sudden dismissal. WSJ stated, "Altman is expected to decide on one of these two options as early as this weekend."
The New York Times (NYT) also reported, citing multiple sources, that since the previous day, Altman and Brockman have been discussing a return with the OpenAI board. The outlet described it as "a plot twist in the drama surrounding OpenAI," stating, "OpenAI investors and company employees who support Altman are pressuring the board to reinstate him. MS, which invested $13 billion in OpenAI, is leading this pressure." Investors are reportedly willing to invest in a new company if Altman does not return to OpenAI and instead establishes one.
Earlier, on the 17th at noon, Altman was requested to join a video conference with the OpenAI board and was notified of his dismissal. During this process, investors including MS were not given prior notice regarding the decision to remove Altman. Satya Nadella, CEO of MS, was reportedly taken aback upon hearing the news. That same night, at least three OpenAI officials, including Chairman Brockman, resigned in protest. The NYT conveyed that current and former employees were deeply unsettled by the news of Altman’s ousting, who was essentially the face of OpenAI. Local media are closely monitoring the situation, comparing it to the 1985 Apple board’s firing of Steve Jobs.
The exact reason for Altman’s dismissal has not been disclosed. The board publicly cited "dishonest communication" as the reason. In addition to disagreements over AI accountability issues and development speed, analyses suggest that Altman’s pursuit of profitability and new startups may have led to his removal.
Bloomberg News, citing sources, reported that before his dismissal, Altman was independently moving forward to create an AI semiconductor startup to compete with Nvidia. He was seeking to raise billions of dollars in funding from sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and others for a project codenamed "Tigris." MS, OpenAI’s largest investor, was also reportedly interested in this project.
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