- Microsoft hires former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman to lead new advanced AI research team after their departures from OpenAI leadership
- Hirings follow Altman being ousted as OpenAI CEO and losing confidence of board; Brockman resigned as chairman but is staying as president
- Microsoft says it remains committed to OpenAI partnership despite hiring away top talent; welcomed Altman and Brockman to new venture
Microsoft is making big moves in the AI space. The tech giant has hired former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman to lead an advanced AI research team, just days after Altman was ousted from OpenAI’s leadership.
Microsoft Stock Jumps on AI News
Microsoft’s stock rose 1.5% in early trading Monday following the announcement about Altman and Brockman on Sunday. The company’s shares closed at $369.67 on Friday and were trading around $375.31 Monday morning.
The hirings come after a turbulent few days at OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. On Friday, Altman stepped down as CEO after losing the confidence of OpenAI’s board. Co-founder Greg Brockman also resigned as chairman but is staying on as president.
The Leadership Shakeup at OpenAI
Altman’s departure came after OpenAI’s board determined he had not been fully transparent in his communications with them. This hindered the board’s ability to fulfill its duties, prompting the leadership change.
After Altman and Brockman left, over 500 OpenAI employees signed a letter demanding the board resign over how they handled the situation. OpenAI appointed CTO Mira Murati as interim CEO while beginning a search for a permanent chief executive.
Microsoft’s Commitment to OpenAI Partnership
Despite hiring away OpenAI’s top talent, Microsoft says it remains committed to its business partnership with OpenAI.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella welcomed Altman and Brockman to the company’s new venture but said Microsoft still has confidence in its OpenAI partnership. Nadella said he looks forward to working with new OpenAI interim CEO Emmett Shear.
A New Chapter for AI Research
In a tweet, Brockman said the new Microsoft team will “build something new” under Altman’s leadership. The initial leadership will also include former OpenAI researchers Jakub Pachocki, Szymon Sidor, and Aleksander Madry.
Altman and Brockman’s high-profile hirings underscore Microsoft’s ambitions in artificial intelligence. With two of OpenAI’s founding members now on board, Microsoft is positioning itself at the forefront of advanced AI research and development.
