Microsoft has recently brought on board the former CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman, along with co-founder Greg Brockman, to spearhead a new advanced AI research team, announced Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
This move follows Altman’s departure from OpenAI, terminated by the board due to a loss of confidence in his leadership. Despite negotiations over the weekend to potentially reinstate Altman at OpenAI, Nadella unveiled Microsoft’s acquisition of both Altman and Brockman to helm the innovative AI research division.
Nadella expressed excitement about the addition of Altman and Brockman, highlighting their collaborative effort with colleagues to drive Microsoft’s AI initiatives. He emphasized the swift provision of necessary resources to ensure their success in the new venture.
Responding to Nadella’s announcement, Altman affirmed the continuation of their mission in a tweet. Nadella expanded on the thread, officially appointing Altman as the CEO of the new AI group, comprising talent from OpenAI, including Greg Brockman.
This development closely follows OpenAI’s announcement of Emmett Shear as the interim CEO after the discussions to reinstate Altman fell through. Shear, the former CEO of Twitch, stepped in as the third CEO within three days, succeeding Mira Murati.
Reports suggest that Shear won over OpenAI’s board with his acknowledgment of the potential risks associated with AI. The board swiftly searched for a replacement after Murati, settling for Shear amid Altman’s sudden dismissal.
Additionally, revelations from The New York Times suggest Altman’s pursuits outside OpenAI, presenting a separate startup concept named “Tigris.” This project aimed at developing custom AI Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) chips to rival Nvidia’s offerings, garnering interest from prominent venture firms and drawing attention from Microsoft.
The recruitment of Altman and Brockman by Microsoft signals a strategic move to bolster its AI research and development efforts amid the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence technologies.
