More than 500 OpenAI employees have reportedly threatened to resign on Monday unless the company’s board of directors resigns over its surprise move on Friday to oust Sam Altman from the company.
The furious employees said they “may choose to resign” and join Altman, who took a new position as head of an AI research unit at Microsoft on Sunday, unless all current OpenAI board members resign and both Altman and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman. They are restored to their positions.
“His actions have made it evident that he is incapable of overseeing OpenAI,” OpenAI employees said, according to a memo. obtained by Wired. “We cannot work for or with people who lack competence, judgment and care for our mission and our employees.”
Additionally, workers demanded that OpenAI appoint two new lead independent directors. They raised former Twitter board chairman Bret Taylor and former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), who left the OpenAI board earlier this year, as acceptable options.
As of Sunday, “dozens of OpenAI employees had already left the company in protest of Altman’s firing.” The information reported. The company has more than 700 employees.
oh boy
550 of OpenAI’s 700 employees signed a letter asking the board to resign.
“His conduct has made it clear that he did not have the competence to oversee OpenAI.” pic.twitter.com/VzFTYMuFhn
– Morning beer
(@MorningBrew) November 20, 2023
Meanwhile, OpenAI interim CEO Emmett Shear, who took over to replace Altman after days of intense negotiations between the board, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and other stakeholders, is already fighting for save the situation.
Shear pledged to order an independent investigation into the events that led to Altman’s dismissal, as well as lead a review of OpenAI’s management and leadership team and improve communication with remaining staff.
“It is clear that the process and communications surrounding Sam’s dismissal have been very poorly handled, seriously damaging our trust,” Shear wrote in X.
Meanwhile, OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, the board director who is said to have played a key role in Altman’s shock dismissal, admitted he wished the situation had been handled differently.
“I deeply regret my participation in the board’s actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we have built together and will do everything I can to reunite the company,” Sutskever said.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
