In a surprising turn of events, Sam Altman, the renowned CEO of OpenAI, has been ousted by the company’s board of directors, as revealed in a blog post on Friday. This move triggered a series of changes within OpenAI, known for its revolutionary AI innovations like ChatGPT. The interim CEO role has been assumed by Mira Murati, OpenAI’s former CTO, and shortly after, Greg Brockman, the company’s president, announced his departure. Open AI informed about the decision on the blog post friday afternoon.

The decision to remove Altman, a prominent figure in the tech industry, comes after a thorough review by the board. The statement cited Altman’s lack of consistent communication, hindering the board’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities. The board expressed a loss of confidence in Altman’s leadership.

Altman’s departure marks a significant shift for the 38-year-old executive, who rose to prominence over the past year. OpenAI gained widespread attention with the release of ChatGPT, sparking an industry-wide AI frenzy. Altman’s decision to release the app propelled him to household name status.

While the specific reasons behind the board’s decision remain unclear, Altman expressed appreciation for his time at OpenAI on social media. His departure raises questions about the company’s future direction and the impact on the AI landscape, given Altman’s influential role.

i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. most of all i loved working with such talented people.

will have more to say about what’s next later.

🫡

— Sam Altman (@sama) November 17, 2023

Altman’s decision to release ChatGPT had far-reaching consequences, leading to an AI race among major tech players. OpenAI, backed by substantial investments from Microsoft, became a pivotal player in AI development. Altman testified before Congress and engaged with global leaders on AI-related concerns.

The board thanked Altman for his contributions but emphasized the need for new leadership. Mira Murati steps into the interim CEO role, bringing uncertainty about OpenAI’s future trajectory. Altman’s departure represents a turning point for OpenAI and the broader tech industry, as it grapples with the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.