Update: The Open AI board is discussing the possibility of bringing back Sam Altman. The board also reportedly replaced Mira Murati with the CEO of Twitch, Emmett Shear, as the interim CEO.

OpenAI, the creator of the record-breaking ChatGPT, announced on Friday that the Co-Founder and CEO, Sam Altman, is stepping down from his role and departing the company. The Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, has been appointed interim CEO as the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

Thus, Altman joins the long list of co-founders of popular technology projects such as Jobs (Apple), Kalanick (Uber), and Eberhard (Tesla), who were fired from the companies they built from the ground up.

Sam Altman Departs as CEO of OpenAI

Altman helped found OpenAI in 2015 as a non-profit research organization focused on ensuring artificial intelligence benefits humanity. He took over as the CEO in 2019 when OpenAI restructured as a for-profit company in order to attract more investment capital while maintaining its research mission and oversight.

In a statement, OpenAI's Board of Directors said the decision followed a review process which concluded Altman "was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities." The board stated it no longer has confidence in Altman's ability to lead OpenAI going forward.

“We are grateful for Sam’s many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI. At the same time, we believe new leadership is necessary as we move forward,” the company added.

Altman acknowledged his departure in a social media post: "Today was a weird experience in many ways. But one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you're still alive." He did not directly address the board's criticisms.

i love you all.

today was a weird experience in many ways. but one unexpected one is that it has been sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive. the outpouring of love is awesome.

one takeaway: go tell your friends how great you think they are.

— Sam Altman (@sama) November 18, 2023

Mira Murati Named Interim CEO

Murati, who heads OpenAI's research, products, and safety divisions, has been with the company for over 5 years. The board expressed confidence in her ability to lead during the transition, citing her "long tenure and close engagement with all aspects of the company."

“As the leader of the company’s research, product, and safety functions, Mira is exceptionally qualified to step into the role of interim CEO. We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period,” OpenAI commented on the interim appointment.

Also, as part of the leadership change, Greg Brockman is stepping down as Chairman but will remain at OpenAI, reporting to the CEO. Brockman disputed the board's decision in online posts, claiming he and Altman were "shocked and saddened" by the abrupt firing.

Sam and I are shocked and saddened by what the board did today.

Let us first say thank you to all the incredible people who we have worked with at OpenAI, our customers, our investors, and all of those who have been reaching out.

We too are still trying to figure out exactly…

— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 18, 2023

The news comes during a period of explosive growth for OpenAI, which gained mainstream popularity after launching its AI chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022. Microsoft, an OpenAI investor, said it remains committed to their partnership under Murati's leadership.