Ex-OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Allegedly Fired for Deceit and Withholding Crucial Info, Claims Former Board Member
Summary:
Sam Altman, ex-CEO of OpenAI, was allegedly fired for dishonesty and withholding information from the board, according to former board member Helen Toner. Toner claims his actions made it challenging for the board to make key safety and security decisions. Among violated trust, Altman failed to disclose his ownership of OpenAI’s startup fund, valued at $175 million. Despite a brief dismissal in November 2023, Altman was reinstated following staff protests. The fund's governance has since been restructured, leaving it under the control of Ian Hathaway.
Sam Altman, former CEO of OpenAI, was reportedly expelled from the organization after allegations came to light that he had been keeping critical information hidden from the board, claims former board member Helen Toner. Toner accused Altman of not being honest with the board on a regular basis, which allegedly led to his termination. Altman's alleged deceitful behaviour was discussed in a Ted AI podcast episode on May 28, in which Toner stated that Altman had made it tough for the board to fulfill their duties by hiding crucial information and at times, telling outright lies.
As an illustration of Altman's lack of transparency, Toner pointed to the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, noting that Altman had failed to inform the board about it. Toner revealed, "Upon the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the board wasn't briefed before it happened. We discovered it on Twitter."
OpenAI has been contacted by Cointelegraph for a response. Despite allegations of Altman's dishonesty leading to his removal from the board and his brief ousting as CEO in November 2023, the company's workforce strongly objected. A total of 505 out of 700 employees signed a petition calling for the board's resignation, which resulted in Altman being swiftly reinstated.
The board of OpenAI is entrusted with providing crucial safety and security guidance for the firm's endeavors. Toner alleges that Altman made this job challenging by withholding crucial information. Additionally, Toner claims that Altman kept his ownership of OpenAI’s startup fund, established in 2021 with $175 million dedicated to AI, technology, healthcare, and education ventures, a secret. Altman is alleged to have failed to disclose his ownership of the fund, despite insisting he was an independent board member with no financial stake in the company.
Subsequent to these allegations, OpenAI has restructured the fund's governance arrangement, removing Altman's ownership and control, in line with a March 29 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since then, Ian Hathaway, a member of the fund since 2021, has assumed control.
Published At
5/29/2024 2:57:25 PM
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