After its meteoric rise owing to kick-starting the rapid growth of generative artificial intelligence, OpenAI has found itself at the centre of corporate drama.
Suddenly gone is Sam Altman, who was chief executive of the Microsoft-backed company and led the sensational rise of ChatGPT.
His departure raises questions about what's happening at one of the world's most influential technology organisations, and its trajectory.
Why was Sam Altman ousted?
Mr Altman's removal came as a surprise, especially considering the momentum he has built – becoming not only the face of the California-based company, but of the AI industry's boom.
He had also become the go-to voice for the industry, with his views on AI development and regulation seen as a guide to the future of the beneficial yet polarising industry.
OpenAI was a bit vague with its reasons for removing Mr Altman, primarily pointing to his lack of candour. Its statement, posted on its website late on Friday, was unflattering to say the least.
“Mr Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities,” it said.
And then there was the parting shot: “The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI.”
His dismissal was also reportedly because of arguments within OpenAI that the company wasn't developing its AI products safely enough. OpenAI has yet to respond to any media queries regarding the situation.
After Mr Altman's firing, the company held an all-hands meeting, in which some employees said OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever may have felt Mr Altman was “moving too quickly to commercialise software at the expense of potential safety concerns”, The Information reported.
Mr Sutskever, crucially, was the person who informed Mr Altman of his ousting, after the latter was invited to a video meeting on Friday.
Mr Altman has only reacted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that he “loved my time” at OpenAI, while leaving a cryptic message.
“Today was a weird experience in many ways. But one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive,” he said.
OpenAI has appointed chief technology officer Mira Murati as its interim chief executive as the company searches for a permanent successor to Mr Altman.
Has this caused any ripple effect within OpenAI?
Yes – and, as of Saturday, it seems to be growing.
Following Mr Altman's dismissal, OpenAI said that Greg Brockman was stepping down as its chairman, but would remain as president and directly report to the board.
However, Mr Brockman decided to leave the company altogether and shortly thereafter posted on X that, “based on today's news, I quit”.
OpenAI’s board of directors comprises Quora chief executive Adam D’Angelo, technology entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, the Georgetown Centre for Security and Emerging Technology’s Helen Toner and Mr Sutskever.
And on Saturday, The Information reported that three senior researchers – research director Jakub Pachocki, AI risks evaluator Aleksander Madry and researcher Szymon Sidorhave – also quit.
Their departures are a “sign of immense disappointment among some employees” after Mr Altman was booted out, it said.
OpenAI has not confirmed any of these departures.
After Mr Altman's firing, there seemed to have been unrest within the company:
How has Microsoft reacted?
Microsoft, OpenAI's biggest backer that had pledged a reported $10 billion to boost the company, said it remained committed to the company.
However, the Windows developer was blindsided by Mr Altman's departure, having been informed only about, 10 minutes before OpenAI broke the news, persons familiar with the situation said.
Shortly after OpenAI's announcement, Microsoft released a brief statement from its chairman and chief executive Satya Nadella, who delivered a vote of confidence in OpenAI amid its leadership change – without any mention of Mr Altman.
“We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI with full access to everything we need to deliver on our innovation agenda and an exciting product road map; and remain committed to our partnership, and to Mira and the team,” the statement read.
“Together, we will continue to deliver the meaningful benefits of this technology to the world.”
What could be next for OpenAI?
While indeed there are questions being raised on how OpenAI's strategy will move forward with Mr Altman gone, analysts say that the sudden decision isn't likely to affect its business.
“This seems to be a case of an executive transition that was about issues with the individual in question, and not with the underlying technology or business,” said Rowan Curran, an analyst at Forrester Research.
And while Mr Altman's exit was “shocking”, OpenAI still boasts a “deep bench” capable of driving the business forward, said Arun Chandrasekaran, an analyst at Gartner, who was “sure” that the company had taken the decision “after a lot of deliberation”.
“OpenAI does have a deep bench of technical leaders and it will be interesting to see how its next generation of leaders steer by continuing its fast paced innovation culture, scaling the business and meeting the expectations of regulators and society at large.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The years Ramadan fell in May
More on animal trafficking
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.
The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.
All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.
No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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