From Business Today: 2024-05-29 01:27:07

Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner revealed the board was unaware of ChatGPT’s launch until it went public. She accused CEO Sam Altman of withholding information and lying to the board on The Ted AI Show podcast. Toner’s statements highlight a breakdown of trust between the board and Altman, leading to his temporary ousting.

Toner, now the director of strategy at the Centre for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown, accused Altman of dishonesty, which eroded the board’s trust in him. By October 2023, the board was considering his dismissal. She emphasized that the board was created to prioritize OpenAI’s public good mission over profits and investor interests.

OpenAI spokesperson expressed disappointment with Toner revisiting the issue. An independent investigation by WilmerHale found Altman’s firing resulted from a breakdown in his relationship with the prior board. Altman was abruptly fired without a chance to respond. In March, he was reinstated by temporary board members, including some high-profile names.

Toner’s revelations about Altman’s dismissal add to the ongoing controversies surrounding OpenAI. The company has been facing various challenges, including the departure of safety researchers critical of its leadership. These controversies have cast a shadow over OpenAI’s operations and management.



Read more at Business Today: ‘Outright lying to the board’: Former OpenAI board member reveals reasons why CEO Sam Altman was ousted