While huge questions linger over about why OpenAI fired CEO Sam Altman and removed chairman Greg Brockman, they are so far winning the public narrative.
Why it matters: If the pair choose to form a new company, they shouldn't have a hard time finding investors or employees.
The big picture: The OpenAI board's unusual structure led to the shocking ejection of its founding CEO, whose tenure highlighted philosophical divisions over the perils and promise of rapidly advancing generative AI.
Sam Altman is weighing a potential return to OpenAI just a day after being ousted as CEO, according to mediareports that investors are hoping to get the company to bring him back. The Verge earlier reported that he is directly in talks with the company's board.
Why it matters: The efforts suggest investors hope to get the board to reconsider its decision, which some members may regret, especially after co-founder and then-president Greg Brockman resigned, along with three senior researchers.
A slew of marquee advertisers suspended their advertising on X, formerly Twitter, Friday in response to a post by owner ElonMusk that endorsed an antisemitic post Wednesday.
Why it matters: This is the closest X has come to a large-scale boycott since Musk purchased the platform more than a year ago.
Sam Altman's firing as OpenAI CEO was not the result of "malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices" but rather a "breakdown in communications between Sam Altman and the board," per an internal memo from chief operating officer Brad Lightcap seen by Axios.
Why it matters: OpenAI's board has been mum since midday Friday when it announced Altman's departure, leaving room for speculation and uncertainty over the basis for the firing.
Silicon Valley experienced a huge earthquake with OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman — with the ripples reaching every headline, private group chat, and beyond.
Why it matters: The stunning leadership shakeup raises questions about the organization's future, and the unique structure that gives limited power to even its biggest shareholders.
The boardroom drama behind the firing of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reflects a deep cultural rift among the creators of Silicon Valley's hottest new technology.
Why it matters: AI is still young, and its parents are having a messy divorce.
Of note: Microsoft — OpenAI's biggest collaborator and investor in its for-profit arm — was blindsided by Altman's exit, only learning about the move a minute before the public announcement.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued warnings to two trade organizations and a dozen nutrition influencers, warning them about failures to properly disclose paid promotional posts.
Why it matters: The move could establish stronger standards for how social media influencers promote certain foods by making the funding behind paid posts more transparent.
Microsoft, which has invested billions in OpenAI, learned that OpenAI was ousting CEO Sam Altman just a minute before the news was shared with the world, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Why it matters: Microsoft is ChatGPT maker OpenAI's closest partner and has deeply tied its fortunes to the AI startup, while OpenAI relies on Microsoft for funding as well as its cloud services.
Sam Altman got a text Thursday night from one of OpenAI's co-founders and by noon Friday he was told he was being fired, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president, who also left the company on Friday.
Why it matters: OpenAI has been largely silent on what transpired since announcing earlier Friday that Altman was being forced out and that Brockman was being removed as board chairman.
Sam Altman will leave OpenAI, the company's board announced Friday in a surprise move suggesting he was fired for not being "consistently candid in his communications with the board."
Why it matters: Altman, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015, has led the firm that launched ChatGPT a year ago and sparked an AI boom, since 2019.
A growing number of X's biggest advertisers are pulling out, leaving the company's ad business in limbo.
Why it matters: The move from several companies and organizations to pause ads on X, formerly Twitter, comes after owner Elon Musk backed an antisemitic conspiracy theory. Civil rights groups have also reported a rise in antisemitism and hate speech on the platform.
