‘More than 500 of the 700 OpenAI employees are in danger of switching to Microsoft’ – IT Pro – News

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More than 500 OpenAI employees are threatening to resign from the company to join Microsoft’s new AI research team, led by Sam Altman. The employees are dissatisfied with Altman’s dismissal. More than 700 people work at OpenAI.

In the letter, the undersigned criticized the decision of the OpenAI board to fire CEO and co-founder Sam Altman and the proceedings that followed, which also led to co-founder Greg Brockman leaving the company. Wired writes: who has seen the letter. “Your behavior has shown that you are not competent enough to take charge of OpenAI.”

The employees write about an “unexpected decision” to fire Altman and say there is no evidence to support the accusations that Altman did not communicate openly enough. In addition, the board of directors is said to have not cooperated with the daily management of the company and the appointment of the new interim CEO, former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear, was ‘not in the interests of the company’.

“We cannot work with or for people who are not competent or good judgment, and who do not care about employees and the company’s mission. We, the undersigned, may choose to resign from OpenAI and join the new Microsoft team, led by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. Microsoft has assured us that there is room for all OpenAI employees within this team should we choose to make the transition. We will take this step immediately unless all current board members resign, appoint new independent directors and reinstate Sam Altman and Greg Brockman.”

Microsoft announced Monday morning that Altman will lead a new team at the company that will conduct research into advanced artificial intelligence. In that announcement, Microsoft emphasized that it remains committed to working with OpenAI, a company where Microsoft has invested billions in it. According to journalist Kara Swisher more than 500 of the 700 employees signed the letter.