New OpenAI CEO Emmett Shear Wants To Investigate Sam Altman’s Firing

Stepping into the role of OpenAI's interim CEO following the surprising ouster of Sam Altman late last week, former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear wasted no time in outlining his plans for the immediate future.

Taking to X, he announced a three-point strategy to be executed over the next 30 days. This strategy includes hiring an independent investigator to scrutinise the events leading up to the recent changes and provide a comprehensive report. 

The new CEO justified this step by explaining that the process and communications around Altman’s removal was handled badly and it had “seriously damaged” the company’s trust.

Shear said he was committed to engaging with OpenAI’s stakeholders, from employees to investors, to glean insights and share key takeaways. Additionally, there seems to be a clear intent on reforming the management and leadership team to ensure effectiveness in delivering results for the company’s customers.

“Depending on the results everything we learn from these, I will drive changes in the organization — up to and including pushing strongly for significant governance changes if necessary. I will be rolling these out as they become clear over the 30 day period. OpenAI’s stability and success are too important to allow turmoil to disrupt them like this.” - Emmett Shear, Interim CEO at OpenAI

It is evident that the board is supportive of Shear, who expressed that he wouldn't have taken on the role without their backing for the commercialisation of OpenAI's “awesome” models.

Shear, in acknowledging his predecessor, Sam Altman, expressed nothing but respect for Altman's contributions and the entire OpenAI team, describing the organisation not only as an exceptional research project but as an incredible company.

Shear led Twitch from 2011 to 2023, prior to joining OpenAI. He quit from his role at Twitch after the birth of his son and has been a Visiting Group Partner at Y Combinator since April.

“I took this job because I believe that OpenAI is one of the most important companies currently in existence. When the board shared the situation and asked me to take the role, I did not make the decision lightly. Ultimately I felt that I had a duty to help if I could,” Shear mentioned in his tweet.

In the early hours of Monday, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced that the ousted duo, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, will be joining Microsoft and head a new “Advanced Research Team” at the company.

Meanwhile, Mira Murati (CTO at OpenAI), who briefly assumed the role of interim CEO at OpenAI stressed on the crucial role of the company's people in a post. She wrote, “OpenAI is nothing without its people.”

Also Read: Mira Murati To Exit OpenAI Next?