Sam Altman Shares a Compelling Firsthand Account of His 2023 Dismissal as CEO of OpenAI
The Turbulent Story of Sam Altman’s Ouster and Return to OpenAI
In November 2023, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman experienced a shocking dismissal that created a stir in the tech community. His insights during a podcast with Jessica Livingston from Y Combinator shed light on the dramatic events of those days and how he navigated the chaos.
The Unexpected Dismissal
On November 17, 2023, while Altman was in a Las Vegas hotel with his partner, he received unexpected news. Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s Chief Scientist at the time, contacted him through a Google Meet link, which led to Altman learning about his firing. Altman recounted, "It felt like a dream," indicating his disbelief at the situation.
Following the abrupt announcement, Altman faced immediate disconnection from his work life. “They turned off my email and stuff. I didn’t think about what was going to happen next… it went crazy,” he said, capturing the turmoil that followed his firing.
A Fog of Confusion
Within hours, Altman found himself involved in non-stop discussions and conference calls trying to understand the situation. The atmosphere, as he described, was filled with uncertainty. “It started as like, Sam must have done something horrible,” he recalled. The board members, Microsoft, and other executives were seeking clarity on the unexpected ousting, creating a chaotic environment.
Amid this chaos, Altman had a poignant exchange with his partner. As they prepared to board a flight, Oliver remarked, “Sam, I’m with you 100 percent no matter what, but what the f*** did you do?” This moment underlined the personal and emotional impact of the abrupt dismissal and its fallout.
Reasons Behind the Ouster
Discussing the reasons for his dismissal, Altman mentioned that personal power struggles were part of the conflict. He acknowledged legitimate concerns about AI safety but felt that deeper issues were at play. “I think other people have a different opinion on what we’ve done,” he explained.
Altman expressed that he would respect a board decision purely based on AI safety concerns. However, he felt that the board members had not treated such issues as grave concerns but rather as justifications for his removal.
The Road to a Potential Return
After returning to San Francisco, Altman reflected on his future. Initially, he considered moving on, even suggesting that he could carry out AGI research elsewhere. Meanwhile, chaos ensued at OpenAI as employees rallied around Altman, some even resigning in protest.
During a pivotal call with board members, Altman initially reacted negatively to the idea of returning. He proposed that all current board members resign—a decision he later regretted, feeling it escalated tensions unnecessarily.
Negotiations and Turning Points
Following a whirlwind weekend of negotiations, there seemed to be hope for Altman’s return. However, on Sunday night, the board announced Emmett Shear as the new CEO, which infuriated Altman. He realized that he had been misled during the negotiations and described this betrayal as the angriest moment of his ordeal.
OpenAI’s CTO, Mira Murati, threatened to resign over the board’s choices, further complicating matters. Recognizing this tension, Altman decided to announce his potential move to Microsoft, only to have everything change when he woke up the next morning.
An Unexpected Reversal
After a sleepless night, Altman awoke to surprising news. Ilya Sutskever expressed regret for his involvement in the board’s decision, and an overwhelming majority of OpenAI employees signed a letter demanding Altman’s reinstatement. This pressure led to the resignation of Shear and others involved, finally clearing the way for Altman’s return.
Despite the resolution, the aftermath of the experience was taxing for Altman. He described feeling exhausted and disconnected from his colleagues in the following months. However, OpenAI continued to innovate and release products amidst the turmoil.
The Outcome of the Turmoil
In the months that followed, several key figures, including Ilya Sutskever and Mira Murati, departed from OpenAI to start their own ventures. Altman continued his role as CEO, guiding OpenAI through challenging times, though he noted that the company’s position had become less dominant in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Altman’s story serves not only as a case study of corporate upheaval but also emphasizes the complexities of leadership in a field that is increasingly scrutinized and contested.
