OpenAI Leadership Transition: Mira Murati Appointed Interim CEO as Sam Altman Departs
In an official statement, the board conveyed their trust in Mira Murati's capabilities to guide OpenAI during this period.
OpenAI, Inc., a pivotal organization in the advancement of artificial general intelligence for the benefit of humanity, is undergoing a significant leadership transition. Today, the board of directors announced the departure of CEO Sam Altman and the appointment of Mira Murati, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, as interim CEO, effective immediately.
Mira Murati, a veteran member of OpenAI’s leadership team for five years, has been instrumental in propelling OpenAI to its esteemed position as a global AI authority. Her multifaceted expertise, spanning the realms of AI research, product development, safety protocols, and governance, makes her a natural fit for the role. Her deep-rooted understanding of the company's ethos and operations, coupled with her extensive experience in AI governance and policy, positions her uniquely to steer OpenAI during this transitional phase.
The board's decision to facilitate this change in leadership stemmed from a careful and deliberate evaluation process. It was determined that Mr. Altman’s communication with the board did not consistently reflect transparency, hindering the board’s effective oversight. Consequently, the board has regrettably lost confidence in Mr. Altman's ability to continue leading OpenAI.
Expressing gratitude for Sam Altman's invaluable contributions to OpenAI's inception and growth, the board emphasized the organization's unwavering commitment to its mission. OpenAI's primary objective remains ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits humanity. While Mr. Altman departs, the board believes this transition is essential for the organization's forward momentum.
In an official statement, the board conveyed their trust in Mira Murati's capabilities to guide OpenAI during this period. As the custodian of the company’s research, product, and safety facets, she is well-equipped to navigate OpenAI through this transitional phase seamlessly.
The board comprises OpenAI Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, along with independent directors Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora; Tasha McCauley, a technology entrepreneur; and Helen Toner from the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
As part of this transition, Greg Brockman will step down as chairman of the board while continuing his role at OpenAI, reporting to the CEO.
Founded in 2015 as a non-profit organization, OpenAI was restructured in 2019 to enable fundraising efforts while preserving its non-profit mission and governance. The board underscores its unwavering commitment to steering OpenAI towards its mission while maintaining the principles laid out in its Charter.
