OpenAI, one of the most influential companies in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), is currently going through a difficult period full of challenges, both internally and externally. The company, known for developing the ChatGPT language model, has become synonymous with technological advances, but its management structures have changed dramatically. The recent unsuccessful coup to remove CEO Sam Altman from his position has brought more questions than answers, especially regarding the company’s future and strategy.
The beginning of the crisis: Removal of Sam Altman
In November 2023, Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, was unexpectedly fired by the board of directors. The decision surprised both employees and investors. Almost immediately after the announcement of the dismissal, dozens of employees began to publicly express their dissatisfaction. Words of support for Altman could be read on social media platforms, and the slogan “OpenAI is nothing without its people” became an expression of solidarity and pressure on the board to reverse its decision. This outburst of support showed how strong a position Altman had built within the company and how important a part of its identity he was to its employees.
For several days, the company was in a state of chaos, and the board came under immense pressure from both employees and investors. As a result, Altman was quickly reinstated as CEO. However, the effects of this upheaval were still being felt for many months.
Internal divisions and departure of key leaders
One of the most significant developments after the turnaround was the departure of several key figures who had a significant impact on the development of OpenAI. Mira Murati, chief technology officer (CTO), Bob McGrew, director of research, and Barret Zoph, vice president of research, announced their departure from the company. Murati’s departure was particularly painful for the team, as she was one of the most recognizable and influential figures at OpenAI. Altman learned of her decision just hours before her news was announced to the entire team, which only exacerbated tensions within the company.
The decisions are indicative of the deep divisions that arose within the company after the failed coup. Although Murati ultimately supported Altman after his reinstatement, her departure suggests that the wounds of the events have still not healed. Murati, like Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, was one of those who initially raised concerns about Altman’s leadership style. Concerns she raised included a toxic work atmosphere in which Altman was said to employ a strategy of dividing teams and employees.
OpenAI’s transformation: New strategy and new leaders
Upon returning to his post, Altman quickly began to surround himself with loyal colleagues, a move designed not only to strengthen his position, but also to prevent future crises. As part of the reorganization, Mark Chen was named the new head of research, and Jakub Pachocki took over as chief scientist from Sutskever. Along with these changes, OpenAI began to implement new organizational policies aimed at “flattening” the company’s structure to allow for faster decision-making and greater Altman involvement in technical issues.
It’s also worth noting that Altman, while originally declaring that he would not have a stake in the company in order to remain neutral, is now considering taking a portion of the shares. The company is seeking to raise an additional $6 billion in financing, and OpenAI is valued at an impressive $150 billion. For Altman, who has already become a billionaire through other technology investments, this decision could be crucial to the company’s continued expansion.
The future of OpenAI: Commercialization and security.
Under Altman’s leadership, OpenAI is evolving from a research organization to a more traditional technology company focused on product commercialization. The hiring of professionals such as Kevin Weil (former head of products at Twitter and Instagram) and Sarah Friar (former CFO of Nextdoor) shows that the company is moving toward building products that appeal to consumers and generate profits.
While this strategy has been commercially successful, there are claims that commercialization may come at the expense of security. OpenAI has an ambitious goal of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), or systems that can rival or even surpass human intelligence. However, former OpenAI employee Daniel Kokotajlo stresses that the company does not yet have a detailed plan on how to ensure the security of such systems. According to him, OpenAI should publish a comprehensive plan for the security of AGI, which would enable its critical evaluation and further improvement.
OpenAI responds to these allegations by pointing to its investment in security research and cooperation with external experts. The company acknowledges that there are many risks involved in developing AGI, but at the same time stresses that the technology can bring great benefits to humanity if properly managed.
What’s next for OpenAI?
After a tumultuous period at OpenAI, the company’s future appears to be determined by the actions of Altman and his close associates. The company remains a leader in AI, rivaling giants such as Google and Meta. However, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Altman will succeed in his vision of creating a secure AGI that benefits all of humanity, or whether OpenAI will become just another technology company focused on profits at the expense of ethics.
Altman, despite criticism of his management style, has won the loyalty of many employees who believe he can lead OpenAI to create breakthrough technologies. However, as the departure of figures such as Murati and Sutskever shows, not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Internal conflicts, rising investor expectations and the pressure to develop AGI mean that Altman faces enormous challenges.
In the near future, we can expect further personnel and organizational changes, as well as intensive work on the latest technologies. All of this with one goal: to maintain the technological edge and achieve the mission of creating an AGI that will change the way the world works.