Emmanuel OchayiBrad Smith, President of Microsoft, offered insights into the upheaval at OpenAI, dispelling notions that the removal of CEO Sam Altman stemmed from safety concerns regarding AI.
The abrupt dismissal, followed by Altman’s reinstatement, sparked speculations about internal disputes over AI safety protocols.
Smith stated, “I don’t think that is the case at all. I think there obviously was a divergence between the board and others.”
The controversy surrounding Altman’s exit and subsequent return to OpenAI’s helm raised questions about the influence of corporate competition on AI advancement and the pace of technological progress.
READ ALSO: Sam Altman To Return As OpenAI CEO After Shocking Sack
The Microsoft executive highlighted the enduring strength of the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI, emphasizing a renewed board at OpenAI and downplaying the narrative of AI safety concerns.
Addressing Altman’s role in securing funding from Microsoft, Smith revealed that Microsoft had offered Altman a leadership position in a new advanced AI research team following his dismissal.
However, Altman’s reinstatement followed a rebellion by over 700 OpenAI employees, who threatened to depart for Microsoft unless he was reinstated.
The reason behind Altman’s sacking remained vague, with the board citing a lack of consistent communication and loss of confidence in his leadership.
Smith was in London to unveil £2.5bn investment in advanced data centers geared towards propelling AI usage in the UK, underlining the potential for the UK to benefit from innovation and competition among tech giants.
Moreover, Smith In an interview with the BBC debunked fears of imminent AI dominance over humans, affirming, “There’s absolutely no probability that you’re going to see this so-called artificial general intelligence where computers are more powerful than people come in the next 12 months. It’s going to take years, if not many decades.”
The narrative surrounding OpenAI’s recent tumult underwent a shift, focusing on corporate dynamics and partnership strength rather than initial safety concerns, as articulated by Microsoft’s President, Brad Smith.
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