Ex-OpenAI board member provides her first detailed account of CEO Sam Altman's firing
Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner revealed on "The Ted AI Show" podcast that the board was unaware of the existence of ChatGPT until it was mentioned on Twitter. Toner shared insights into the events leading to the firing and subsequent rehiring of CEO Sam Altman in November. She described Altman as a manipulative executive who created a toxic work environment.
Instances of Psychological Abuse
One of the reasons behind Altman's dismissal was the reports of "psychological abuse" submitted to the board by two OpenAI executives. Toner mentioned that the seriousness of the allegations was evidenced by screenshots and documentation provided to the board.
OpenAI, when approached for a comment, referenced a statement from current board chair Bret Taylor, which mentioned a review conducted into the events of last November. The statement clarified that the prior board's decision was not related to concerns about product safety, development pace, finances, or communications with stakeholders.
Altman's Reinstatement
Despite being initially terminated, Altman rejoined OpenAI only four days later, following a strong show of support from the majority of the staff. Toner attributed this swift reversal to employees being convinced that the company's survival depended on Altman. She also highlighted concerns about potential retaliation from Altman if they did not back his return.
OpenAI, known for its ChatGPT chatbot, which gained popularity in 2022, is backed by Microsoft. The revelation of the internal strife within the organization sheds light on the challenges faced by tech companies in maintaining a healthy work environment.
