Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was fired from the artificial intelligence (AI) research company due to allegations of lying.
Helen Toner, a former OpenAI board member, claimed in a recent TED AI podcast episode that Altman had misled the board on several occasions. She cited instances where he allegedly withheld crucial information and misrepresented company activities.
The board at OpenAI oversees safety and security measures for the company's projects. Toner argued that Altman's lack of transparent communication hindered their ability to fulfill this role effectively.
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During the podcast, released on May 28, Toner stated:
For years, Sam has made it really difficult for the board to do their job by withholding information, misrepresenting things that were happening at the company — in some cases outright lying to the board.
Toner highlighted a specific example involving the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT. She alleged that the board was unaware of the chatbot's release in November 2022 until it was publicly announced on Twitter.
Toner also accused Altman of concealing his involvement with the OpenAI Startup Fund. Established in 2021, this venture capital fund aims to invest in early-stage startups in fields such as healthcare, law, and education, where AI tools can have a transformative impact. Toner remarked:
Sam didn’t inform the board that he owned the OpenAI Startup Fund, even though he was constantly claiming to be an independent board member with no financial interest in the company.
In response to these governance issues, OpenAI has since revised the fund's management structure. As of a March 29 filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the fund is no longer under Altman's ownership or control. Ian Hathaway, a partner at the fund, now leads its operations.
Altman was removed from his CEO position and the board in November 2023 due to accusations of being "not consistently candid in his communications with the board." This decision sparked backlash within the company, with 505 out of 700 employees signing a letter demanding the board's resignation.
The overwhelming support for Altman led to his reinstatement within a few days.
The situation at OpenAI highlights the importance of transparent leadership and effective governance, which are crucial for ethical development and operational success.
In other news, Apple plans to partner with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18, an update coming in September 2024.
