Executives at Microsoft have hired the founder of one of the world's leading artificial intelligence companies, just days after he was fired. They brought on former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Sunday to lead a research lab.
In 2015, Altman and Elon Musk launched the startup known for creating ChatGPT. Altman managed to build the firm from a small nonprofit into a company valued at tens of billions of dollars. However, the board of directors pushed him out on Friday, saying he was not always "candid" in his communications with them.
OpenAI President Greg Brockman quit in protest over Altman's dismissal and will join him in leading the research group. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement that they will get the "resources needed for their success."
Microsoft has invested more than ten billion dollars in OpenAI and is its largest shareholder. Almost all of the more than 700 OpenAI employees threatened to quit and follow their former bosses. They signed a letter demanding that board members resign and reinstate Altman and Brockman.
Altman wrote on social media that his "top priority" is to ensure OpenAI "continues to thrive." He wrote that the partnership between the company he started and Microsoft makes that "very doable."