REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and Redmond, Wash. (Nov. 20, 2023) – Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, has joined Microsoft as the head of a new in-house AI team. The announcement comes just days after Altman was unexpectedly ousted from OpenAI in a corporate shakeup that shocked the artificial intelligence world.1
The news closely follows Open AI appointing Emmett Shear, the co-founder of Twitch, as its interim CEO. 2
Altman’s appointment is seen as a major coup for Microsoft, which is seeking to strengthen its position in the AI race. It should be noted that Microsoft is already a minor shareholder in OpenAI.
Altman is a highly respected figure in the AI community, and he is credited with leading OpenAI to become one of the world’s leading AI research labs.
In his new role at Microsoft, he will be responsible for leading a team of engineers and scientists who will develop new AI technologies for Microsoft’s products and services.
He will also be responsible for working with Microsoft’s partners to develop AI solutions for their customers.
Shear is a seasoned technology executive with a proven track record of success. He is expected to provide OpenAI with the stability and leadership it needs as it transitions to a new CEO.
The appointment of Shear is a temporary one, and OpenAI is currently conducting a search for a permanent CEO. The company expects to have a new CEO in place by early 2024.
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-execs-invite-altman-brockman-headquarters-sunday-the-information-2023-11-19/[↩]
- the verge: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23967515/sam-altman-openai-board-fired-new-ceo[↩]
