From Dismissal To Distinction: Ousted From OpenAI Last Week, Sam Altman Lands At Microsoft In Dramatic Turn

Just a few days after being ousted as CEO of OpenAI, the creator of AI chatbot ChatGPT, Sam Altman took on a new role at Microsoft on Monday (20 November).

In a statement about Altman's appointment, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella posted on X on Monday (20 November), “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".

"We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI's new leadership team and working with them. And we’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success", the Microsoft CEO posted.

Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and has also integrated the company's technologies into its various products including Bing.

Earlier in the day, OpenAI appointed former Twitch chief Emmett Shear as its new CEO, a decision that went against investor appeals for Altman's reinstatement.

On Saturday, the board of OpenAI sacked Altman, citing a lack of confidence in his ability to lead the AI company supported by Microsoft.

In a statement, the company's board said it was “grateful for Sam's many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI. At the same time, we believe new leadership is necessary as we move forward.”