Get All Access for $5/mo

'The Board No Longer Has Confidence In His Ability': ChatGPT Fires Controversial CEO Sam Altman OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, removed CEO Sam Altman after an internal investigation found he was not consistently truthful with the board.

By Jonathan Small

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sam Altman used to be the face of the AI tech boom, but now he's like many that AI has affected—unemployed.

Earlier today, OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, announced the firing of its influential CEO and founder. The surprising decision came after an Open investigation found that Altman was not entirely open with the board of directors.

"Mr. Altman's departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities," the company said in a statement. "The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI."

Mira Murati, the current chief technology officer of Open AI, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent successor is selected.

Related: Who is Sam Altman?

What's next for Altman

The news of Altman's departure sent shockwaves across the technology industry. At a developer conference last week, Altman unveiled a series of AI tool updates, including a new technology that allows developers to create custom versions of ChatGPT called GPTs.

Now, Altman's future is unclear.

In a departing tweet on X, Altman expressed his love for his time at OpenAI, teasing that he "would have more to say about what's next later."

Former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, sang Altman's praises, tweeting: "Sam Altman is a hero of mine. He built a company from nothing to $90 Billion in value, and changed our collective world forever."

A complex figure

Despite Altman's advocacy for AI, he is also concerned about its potential risks. In testimony before Congress, Altman had an Oppenheimer moment praising the innovation of the invention he'd help shepherd into the world but also warning of its destructive power.

"My worst fears are that we—the field, the technology, the industry—cause significant harm to the world. I think that can happen in a lot of different ways," he said.

Future of OpenAI

Altman's exit has raised questions about OpenAI's future direction. Some tech leaders, including Elon Musk, have called for more caution in AI development due to the potential risks it poses. While Altman's departure may signal a shift in OpenAI's approach to self-regulation, analysts are curious to see how the company's next generation of leaders will navigate the fast-paced innovation culture and meet the expectations of regulators and society.

As OpenAI moves forward with new leadership, the AI industry will be watching closely to see how the company continues to innovate and maintain its position as a leader in artificial intelligence.

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® VIP

Founder, Write About Now Media

Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. He is the former “Jake” advice columnist for Glamour magazine and the “Guy Guru” at Cosmo.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Paramount Leadership Alludes to Layoffs If Merger Does Not Go Through

Paramount is awaiting approval on its merger with Skydance Media from majority shareholder Shari Redstone.

Marketing

6 SEO Tips to Help You Rank in the New Era of Quality Content

What is the best SEO strategy after Google's March 2024 core update? Here's what you need to know.