The news quickly went around the world: Sam altman, a well-known face and pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence, is no longer the CEO of OpenAI. The decision, taken by the company's board, follows Altman's unspecified "communication problems" with the board itself. At the moment Mira Murat takes over the reins of the company as interim CEO, opening a new chapter in OpenAI's history.
An unexpected turning point
Sam Altman's departure represents a dramatic turning point for OpenAI, the company that has had the most profound impact on the AI industry to date. Altman's vision and leadership guided the company through several phases of growth, culminating in the launch of ChatGPT, a product that revolutionized the way we think about and interact with artificial intelligence.
The OpenAI statement, which does not clarify anything at the moment, highlighted that the decision to remove Altman from his role was the result of a "deliberative review" of the board, "negatively affected" in its ability to exercise its responsibilities. He can mean everything or nothing.
Mira Murati, who now leads OpenAI as interim CEO, is also well known in the AI space for her technological acumen and leadership skills. Her appointment represents a crucial moment for the company, which is preparing to navigate a new transition phase. Will there be repercussions for ongoing projects? No later than a few hours ago (and who knows if there is a connection between the events) Sam Altman himself announced the ongoing development of GPT-5, a model of unimaginable power at the moment.
Altman's departure is not the only news at OpenAI: also the co-founder Greg Brockman he resigned as chairman of the board, although he remained within the company.
Sam Altman's firing, the reactions
It almost goes without saying that the announcement of Sam Altman's dethronement sparked a series of reactions in the tech industry. Many have expressed surprise and curiosity about the future of OpenAI, especially at a time when competition in the AI field is fiercer than ever. Microsoft, which has invested billions in OpenAI, reaffirmed his long-term commitment to the company, underlining his confidence in Murati's new leadership.
Only time will clarify the causes of this shock: the consequences, however, begin today.
