Amidst concerns about a significant artificial intelligence discovery with potential risks, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman faced a temporary departure. Staff researchers sent a letter to the board detailing the AI breakthrough, contributing to Altman's ouster.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI participates in the "Charting the Path Forward: The Future of Artificial Intelligence" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 2023. The APEC Summit takes place through November 17.
Sparking CEO Shake-Up
Days before OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's temporary departure, Reuters reported that a group of staff researchers penned a letter to the board of directors, revealing a significant artificial intelligence breakthrough with potential risks to humanity, according to two individuals with knowledge of the situation.
This previously undisclosed letter and the new AI algorithm played a pivotal role in the board's decision to remove Altman, a prominent figure in generative AI.
Altman's return on Tuesday followed his exile, during which over 700 employees threatened to resign and align with supporter Microsoft in solidarity with their ousted leader.
Despite the letter being unverified, it is acknowledged as one element in a broader set of concerns contributing to Altman's dismissal, with the researchers who authored the letter yet to comment.
Submitting to the Board Ahead of Recent Developments
According to a source, Mira Murati, a veteran executive, briefed employees about the Q* project on Wednesday and mentioned that a letter regarding the project had been submitted to the board ahead of recent developments over the weekend.
In response to the publication, an OpenAI spokesperson confirmed that Murati informed employees about the media reports but did not comment on the accuracy of the information. Progress on the Q* project, pronounced Q-Star, has been reportedly achieved by the developer of ChatGPT.
Internally, some believe that Q* could represent a significant advancement in OpenAI's quest for superintelligence, also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI). OpenAI defines AGI as AI systems surpassing human intelligence.
With access to extensive computing resources, CNBC reported that the recently developed model demonstrated the ability to tackle specific mathematical problems, as shared by an anonymous source due to a lack of authorization to speak on behalf of the company.
While its mathematical performance is currently at the level of grade-school students, excelling in these tests has instilled a high level of optimism among researchers regarding the future potential success of Q*.
Also read: OpenAI Turmoil: Hundreds of Employees Demand Board Resignation in Bold Letter
Founded in 2015 with the lofty goal of developing a superintelligent automated system mirroring human capabilities, The New York Times reported that OpenAI faced internal discord, notably in its board's inability to fill vacant positions.
The company's survival hung in the balance prior to Sam Altman's comeback, with uncertainty and the departure of key figures casting doubt. Nearly all 800 employees were poised to join Altman at Microsoft, where he assumed a leadership role alongside Greg Brockman, who left OpenAI's presidency and board chairmanship in solidarity with Altman.
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