Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, announced the absorption of the recently sacked co-founders of OpenAI, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, along with their colleagues.
The move follows the controversial board drama at OpenAI that led to the dismissal of Altman and Brockman just three days ago.
According to Nadella, the former OpenAI members will spearhead a “new advanced AI research team” at Microsoft. Despite the dramatic exit from OpenAI, Nadella expressed Microsoft’s commitment to continuing its partnership with OpenAI and willingness to collaborate with the new leadership appointed for the company.
In a statement shared on his X handle, Nadella mentioned, “We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners.”
The surprising absorption of Altman and Brockman by Microsoft comes after OpenAI’s board cited Altman’s lack of consistent candor in communications, hindering the board’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities, as the reason for his removal.
Despite the circumstances surrounding their departure, Microsoft is eager to provide the necessary resources for the success of the new AI research team led by Altman and Brockman.
Nadella expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success.”
Meanwhile, OpenAI has swiftly appointed former Twitch chief Emmett Shear as the new CEO, succeeding Altman. Shear, known for his success in building Twitch into a leading video platform, is recognized for his understanding of the existential threats posed by AI.
His appointment signals OpenAI’s commitment to navigating the challenges in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The tech industry is abuzz with anticipation about the potential innovations and collaborations that may arise from the union of Microsoft and the former leaders of OpenAI.
