Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Mr. Altman would be joining Microsoft to head a new advanced AI research team. Simultaneously, Emmett Shear, former

CEO of Twitch, will step into the role of OpenAI's new chief.

In a statement on X, Shear described the opportunity as "once-in-a-lifetime" but criticized the handling of Altman's dismissal, noting it severely impacted trust within the organization.

The board ousted Sam Altman, 38, on Friday, citing a loss of confidence and appointed OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, as interim CEO.

Altman co-founded the firm in 2015, played a pivotal role in the creation of the widely-used ChatGPT bot, and was the face of the company's ascension. His dismissal sent shockwaves through the AI industry, drawing support from Silicon Valley executives, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Investor backlash and speculation of Altman's potential reinstatement surfaced, further fueled by his tweet wearing a guest ID pass, suggesting a return might be in the cards. Concerns also arose within the tech industry about Altman potentially forming a competing company and luring OpenAI's top talent.

However, Altman's move to Microsoft, which has heavily invested in ChatGPT, was confirmed by Microsoft's CEO. Altman responded, affirming that "the mission continues."

Amidst the leadership transition, OpenAI's staff expressed concern and emphasized the company's reliance on its workforce. The newly-appointed CEO, Emmett Shear, former head of Twitch, was hailed for possessing the skills, expertise, and relationships to drive OpenAI forward.

Despite Shear's leadership, he remains cautious about AI's potential existential threat, particularly its unsupervised self-improvement capabilities. His apprehension was articulated in a podcast interview where he likened AI advancements to creating powerful, easily accessible weapons.

The board accused Altman of lacking transparency in communications, hindering its oversight role. In response, Shear assured his commitment to independent investigations and reformation of the management team in light of recent upheavals.

Reports suggested internal discontent, concern over a forthcoming $86 billion share sale, and unease among major investors, including Microsoft. However, Nadella reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to their partnership with OpenAI.

Despite the leadership shakeup, OpenAI stands as a pinnacle in the AI landscape, with significant investment and ChatGPT's widespread usage. Altman's engagements in Congressional hearings and AI Safety Summit further underscored his influence in the field. Photo by TechCrunch, Wikimedia commons.