OpenAI announced on Tuesday night the return of its co-founder Sam Altman to the top, a few days after his dismissal from the start-up creator of ChatGPT.
• Also read: Microsoft announces the hiring of former OpenAI boss Sam Altman
• Also read: Dismay over OpenAI: ChatGPT creator fired
“We have reached an agreement in principle that Sam will return to OpenAI as CEO,” the company said in a just-released message, with changes to the board, notably the leadership of Bret Taylor and the arrival of Larry Summers and Adam D’Angelo after 10:00 p.m. Tuesday evening in California or 7:00 a.m. Wednesday in Paris (6:00 a.m. GMT).
“We are working on the details. Thank you for your patience during this time,” the startup added in this message.
Sam Altman, whose hiring Microsoft announced on Monday, immediately reiterated three days after his firing from OpenAI that he had the support of Satya Nadella, the head of Microsoft, to return to the helm of OpenAI.
“With the new board and the support of Satya, I look forward to returning to OpenAI and building a strong partnership,” wrote the Silicon Valley star on X (ex Twitter).
On Monday, former Twitch boss Emmett Shear even announced that he had accepted the position of interim number 1 at OpenAI.
According to a letter published by several American media outlets, nearly 700 of OpenAI’s 770 employees threatened to resign if 38-year-old Sam Altman did not return.
With the online publication of the first version of ChatGPT on November 30, 2022, a race began for the so-called generative artificial intelligence, capable of creating content (text, images, sounds) in everyday language on request.
Generative AI is seen as capable of transforming entire sectors of the economy. It arouses enthusiasm but also strong concerns about the possible danger, particularly to democracy (massive disinformation) or employment (replaced jobs).