Over 500 employees of OpenAI have protested the termination of Sam Altman and the removal of Greg Brockman from its board, citing concerns over the competence of the current leadership in a letter addressed to the Board of Directors at OpenAI.
In the strongly-worded letter, the employees expressed their dismay, stating, "The process through which you terminated Sam Altman and removed Greg Brockman from the board has jeopardized all of this work and undermined our mission and company. Your conduct has made it clear you did not have the competence to oversee OpenAI."
The letter further criticized the board for not providing any written evidence despite numerous requests for specific facts regarding their allegations.
The leadership team of OpenAI, in response to the sudden decision, swiftly acted to stabilize the company.
However, attempts to cooperate were met with challenges as the board reportedly negotiated in bad faith.
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Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the letter detailed the leadership team's efforts to find a mutually agreeable outcome, suggesting the resignation of the current board members and the appointment of two new lead independent directors.
The employees insisted on the reinstatement of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, emphasizing the need for competent and caring leadership.
The employees also expressed their dissatisfaction with the board's actions, stating, "Your actions have made it obvious that you are incapable of overseeing OpenAI. We are unable to work for or with people that lack competence, judgment, and care for our mission and employees."
In a significant turn of events, the employees revealed their intention to resign from OpenAI and join the newly announced Microsoft subsidiary run by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.
Microsoft, they claim, has assured them of positions for all OpenAI employees at the new subsidiary, signalling a potential mass exodus from the prominent AI company.
"We, the undersigned, may choose to resign from OpenAI and join the newly announced Microsoft subsidiary run by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. Microsoft has assured us that there are positions for all OpenAl employees at this new subsidiary should we choose to join," the letter read.
The future of OpenAI now hinges on the response of the board to the employees' demands.
With the spectre of a large-scale departure looming, the fate of the company remains uncertain as it grapples with internal turmoil and the potential loss of key talent to a rival enterprise.