Close to 500 employees at OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, have allegedly penned a letter to their superiors, stating their intention to leave the company if the current board does not step down.
This move comes in the wake of the controversial removal of co-founder Sam Altman.
We are going to build something new & it will be incredible.
Initial leadership (more soon): @merettm @sidorszymon @aleks_madry @sama @gdb
The mission continues. https://t.co/oAerJnMYQm
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 20, 2023
The letter sharply criticizes the board for its perceived inability to effectively manage the company, especially highlighted by the mishandling of Altman’s departure last Friday. Altman has since moved to Microsoft to spearhead a new AI division, as reported by Wired.
In a bold move, the letter warns of a collective resignation unless Altman and his fellow OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman are restored to their positions.
Notably, among the signatories is Ilya Sutskever, who reportedly played a key role in a boardroom upheaval that led to the ousting of the company’s co-founder.
The letter is quoted as saying:
“We, the undersigned, are prepared to resign from OpenAI and consider joining the newly formed Microsoft subsidiary led by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. Microsoft has confirmed that it will accommodate all OpenAI staff in this new subsidiary if we opt to move.
Our decision to leave will be immediate unless the entire current board steps down. We demand the appointment of two new lead independent directors, such as Bret Taylor and Will Hurd, and the reinstatement of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.”
