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Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

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Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#51

Post by IAmNotACellist »

aduffy wrote: post #35
speedylight wrote: post #3

> Microsoft, which has invested billions in OpenAI, learned that OpenAI was ousting CEO Sam Altman just a minute before the news was shared with the world, according to a person familiar with the situation. Well this probably disproves the theory that it was a power grab by Microsoft. It didn’t make too much sense anyway since they already have access to tech behind GPT and Microsoft doesn’t necessarily need the clou…

The "coup by MSFT" conspiracy theory made no sense. Microsoft has an insanely good deal with OpenAI: * Exclusive access to resell OpenAI's technology and keep nearly all of that revenue for themselves, both cloud and services * Receive 75% of OpenAI's profits up to $1 trillion All they had to do is not rock the boat and let the golden goose keep laying eggs. A massive disruption like this, so soon after DevDay would…

OpenAI shouldn't even be making a profit, as it's a 501(c)3 charity. The whole umbrella for-profit corp they formed when they became popular should be illegal, and is clearly immoral.

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#52

Post by kromem »

valine wrote: post #8

If anything this is a power grab by the board away from Microsoft. Optimistically, this could be an attempt to return OpenAI to its original status as a true non-profit company. OpenAI lost most of its openness under Sam. They needed the Microsoft investment before GPT scaling was proven out. I imagine many entities would be willing to put money into a truly open research lab given OpenAI’s track record.

The focus on openness was literally how the board ended their statement on firing Altman.

And then Greg being all "committed to safety" in his resignation statement makes me think this was a conflict between being an open OpenAI with global research or being closed and proprietary in the name of safety.

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#53

Post by samspenc »

crop_rotation wrote: post #45
dougmwne wrote: post #24

I think this strengthens my theory that the AI safety true believers wrestled control away from the entrepreneurs. The Open AI board letter, representing just 4 people, screams butt hurt and personal disagreements. Microsoft, who just finished building OpenAI’s models into every core product, was blindsided. The chairman of the OpenAI board, Greg Brockman, another startup exec was pushed out at the same time. Eric Sc…

Not sure why you were downvoted. It is very hard to understand who really has power at OpenAI, and as of now half of the board consists of people whose biggest life accomplishment is somehow getting on the board.

+1, the parent comment was helpful, tbh today I found out that 4 board members on OpenAI, 3 of whom I never heard of till this news, have so much power over this organization that has been making headline news for most of the past year.

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#56

Post by meibo »

pphysch wrote: post #46
swalsh wrote: post #27

Greg Brockman has also left: https://twitter.com/gdb/status/1725667410387378559

What's with the lowercase? I think it's cute if someone is being deliberately low-effort, or trying to present that way, but IMO it's cringe to use it for consequential official statements like this.

This is what aging millenials do to make it seem like they don't really care too much about what's going on and that they're 20 years younger.

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#58

Post by irthomasthomas »

aduffy wrote: post #35
speedylight wrote: post #3

> Microsoft, which has invested billions in OpenAI, learned that OpenAI was ousting CEO Sam Altman just a minute before the news was shared with the world, according to a person familiar with the situation. Well this probably disproves the theory that it was a power grab by Microsoft. It didn’t make too much sense anyway since they already have access to tech behind GPT and Microsoft doesn’t necessarily need the clou…

The "coup by MSFT" conspiracy theory made no sense. Microsoft has an insanely good deal with OpenAI: * Exclusive access to resell OpenAI's technology and keep nearly all of that revenue for themselves, both cloud and services * Receive 75% of OpenAI's profits up to $1 trillion All they had to do is not rock the boat and let the golden goose keep laying eggs. A massive disruption like this, so soon after DevDay would…

Maybe this is the reason?

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#59

Post by robbyking »

broken_clock wrote: post #48
SheinhardtWigCo wrote: post #40

One "person familiar" is inappropriate sourcing for something so consequential. Not a good look for Axios.

In journalist speak, that means "credible person I know who would get fired if I said their name." It's probably literally an exec on the OpenAI/Microsoft partnership. The alternative to "a person familiar" is us as readers never get this information at all.

I think a lot of people don't understand how anonymous sourcing works in jounalism.

Re: Microsoft was blindsided by OpenAI's ouster of CEO Sam Altman

#60

Post by dougmwne »

bananapub wrote: post #44
dougmwne wrote: post #24

I think this strengthens my theory that the AI safety true believers wrestled control away from the entrepreneurs. The Open AI board letter, representing just 4 people, screams butt hurt and personal disagreements. Microsoft, who just finished building OpenAI’s models into every core product, was blindsided. The chairman of the OpenAI board, Greg Brockman, another startup exec was pushed out at the same time. Eric Sc…

> The Open AI board letter, representing just 4 people, screams butt hurt and personal disagreements. "screams butt hurt"? the board put out a blog post saying the CEO had lied so badly they'd insta-sacked him.

It’s quite rare for these board communications to say anything of substance at all. You let the PR folks work their magic and manage the narrative. This reads like 4 people out of their depth desperately trying to justify themselves.

I would not be surprised if it turns out Microsoft has a multibillion dollar, complex financial instrument axe on the necks of these people by Monday forcing a sale or a new management structure that gives them more control.

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