OpenAI is in early discussions to raise a fresh round of funding at a valuation at or above $100 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said, a deal that would cement the ChatGPT maker as one of the world's most valuable startups.
08.12.2023 - 08:27 / wccftech.com / Sam Altman / Out On
A ton of drama unfolded in the technology sector recently, with OpenAI, the hottest startup at this time, had its CEO, Sam Altman, abruptly fired, then reinstated a few days after. Following the Chief Executive’s removal, several OpenAI employees revolted, threatening to join Microsoft if OpenAI’s board remained firm on their decision, but according to the latest report, it was actually a bluff to force the firm to bring back Altman. As it turned out, most OpenAI employees did not want to work for Microsoft, as it would have resulted in the loss of significant perks and other reasons.
There was relief among OpenAI staffers that they did not have to jump ship to Microsoft, with Business Insider reporting that several employees, both former and current, have stepped forward, stating that joining the software giant was only a bluff in an attempt to reinstate Altman back to the position of CEO. One major reason for not joining Microsoft was that OpenAI employees would miss out on a ton of perks, ranging from a lucrative salary to equity in the company and a tender offer.
Base salaries at OpenAI typically start from $300,000, with an equity package worth $2 million over four years, with some workers getting much more. Even though Microsoft agreed to hire all OpenAI employees at the same compensation level, there was only a verbal agreement involved and nothing that was legally binding at the time. One employee also believed that it was unlikely that Microsoft would pay departing staff members for the equity that they would have lost had they joined the technology giant.
The tender offer would also have been canceled, and that equity would have been worth nothing. A current OpenAI employee says that no one wanted to work at Microsoft, calling the firm the slowest of all the major companies, believing that OpenAI functioned in the entirely opposite fashion. Some employees also felt pressured to sign the open letter, threatening to resign from the AI startup if Altman was not reinstated, but it is not like these people had formed a cult-like relationship with the CEO.
One employee said that Altman is not the best CEO, but millions of dollars and equity were at stake, so if OpenAI’s valuation were to tank, it would financially affect those employees too. The situation was not healthy at Microsoft either, with hundreds of employees reportedly furious that the company promised to match the salaries for several hundred OpenAI employees.
Remember that the company recently laid off more than 10,000 employees earlier this year, along with freezing salaries, slashing bonuses, and stock awards, so their anger is not misplaced. These employees were also livid at the fact that they were working for more than 12 hours daily
OpenAI is in early discussions to raise a fresh round of funding at a valuation at or above $100 billion, people with knowledge of the matter said, a deal that would cement the ChatGPT maker as one of the world's most valuable startups.
This is not investment advice. The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Wccftech.com has a disclosure and ethics policy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the buzzword of 2023, with the world's biggest companies launching their suite of AI services not just for consumers, but for businesses as well. While AI technology has been growing for some time, it is safe to say that this revolution really kicked off when OpenAI launched its AI chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022. Since then, rapid advancements have taken place in the field, with companies like Microsoft and Google releasing their AI services. AI for business has also become highly sought after, with companies leveraging the new tech to grow their business and offer more services to consumers. However, OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap thinks this technology is overhyped. He also revealed some details about the shock resignation and the eventual return of CEO Sam Altman.
When news stories emerged last week that OpenAI had been working on a new AI model called Q* (pronounced “q star”), some suggested this was a major step toward powerful, humanlike artificial intelligence that could one day go rogue. What's more certain: The hype around Q* has boosted excitement about the company's engineering prowess, just as it's steadying itself from a failed board coup. Peaks of AI excitement about milestones have taken the public for a ride plenty times before. The real warning we should take from Q* is the direction in which these systems are progressing. As they get better at reasoning, it will become more tempting to give such tools greater responsibilities. More than any concerns about AI annihilation, that alone should give us pause.
OpenAI is delaying the launch of an online store for people to interact with an array of chatbots customized by its users, citing the interruption caused by the ousting and reinstatement of Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman.
In a recent turn of events, Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, has reclaimed his position as the CEO of OpenAI after a tumultuous episode involving his shocking initial dismissal and subsequent reinstatement. The lingering question that has stayed in many people's minds is the reason behind this unexpected sequence of events. During an interview with The Verge, Altman addressed this query and more. While refraining from disclosing the initial cause of his dismissal, he expressed his joy at rejoining the company. Altman emphasised that the matter is still under investigation, urging that such questions should be directed to the OpenAI board rather than himself.
OpenAI has been through a lot of dramatic changes over these past few weeks with the board members firing the company CEO Sam Altman. While the feud did not last long and Altman eventually made his way back as OpenAI CEO, the company has made significant changes in their board with three new members and Microsoft is also getting a seat on the board, however, as a silent member. Check Microsoft's role in the OpenAI board and how it will function to ensure the company's success.
OpenAI announced that ChatGPT, the popular generative artificial intelligence-based chatbot, was getting new capabilities earlier in September. These features have now been rolled out globally, and one of the most interesting features will be available to all users, whether they subscribe to its premium version or use the free version. The feature grants ChatGPT voice capability, letting it both receive queries verbally and answer them in the same way. These features will be available in the mobile app version of the platform.
After almost five days, he's back: Sam Altman returns to OpenAI as its chief executive officer, the very same position he had held just 110 or so hours prior, in what will come to be known in Silicon Valley as “the time before OpenAI imploded.” But this saga has only reached the end of the beginning. We go into the Thanksgiving break wondering what happens next, and what it will mean for the future — not just for OpenAI, but AI more broadly.
OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman is to return as CEO of the company, mere days after his chaotic firing by a board that seems to have lost all support. A deal has been reached «in principle» for his return that will see new board members appointed, and the agreement comes shortly after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had essentially checkmated OpenAI by offering Altman a job and guaranteeing the role and salary of any OpenAI staff that wished to join him.
OpenAI is bringing in the former head of Twitch as interim CEO just days after the company pushed out its well-known leader Sam Altman, sparking upheaval in the world of artificial intelligence.
It's time to “get back to shipping” products, a senior OpenAI manager told staffers Tuesday, part of an effort to get the company focused on developing software and forging partnerships instead of the will-he-won't-he drama over whether Sam Altman, summarily fired by the board Friday, will return to the chief executive officer role.