Sam Altman Explains His Firing and Rehiring at OpenAI in 5 Days

The Unexpected Ousting

• 💡 Sam Altman was caught completely off guard by his firing from OpenAI, receiving a text message the night before and being informed via a Google Meet call without clear answers.
• 📌 The board, which was part of the nonprofit organization, announced his removal publicly and deactivated his email, leading to widespread confusion and national news coverage, dubbed the "nerd Super Bowl."
• 🧠 During this period, Altman described a "fog of war" where he and his team had no idea what was happening, leading to non-stop calls and uncertainty.

Underlying Reasons and Initial Reactions

• 💬 Altman stated the board cited "personal power issues" and "legitimate AI safety issues," though he strongly disagreed with their assessment of OpenAI's safety track record.
• 💥 His initial emotional reaction to the board's offer to return was to demand their immediate resignation, a response he later admitted was not constructive.
• 🤝 Adam D'Angelo was a key board member involved in the non-stop negotiations and planning during this tumultuous period.

Failed Negotiations and Microsoft Move

• ⚠️ Despite weekend negotiations suggesting a return and a new board, Altman was shocked when Emmett Shear was appointed interim CEO on Sunday night, leading to his deepest anger due to perceived deception.
• 🚀 Feeling betrayed and exhausted, Altman announced his decision to join Microsoft to work on a new AI research project, having had little sleep for several nights.

The Reinstatement

• 🔑 While Altman was asleep, Ilia (a board member) expressed regret for his participation, and approximately 95% of OpenAI employees signed a letter threatening to resign if Altman was not reinstated.
• ✅ Emmett Shear also informed the board of his intention to resign, further pressuring the board to reach an agreement.
• 🗓️ After prolonged negotiations, an agreement was finally reached on Tuesday or Wednesday night, leading to Altman's return and the reconstitution of the company.

Post-Event Impact

• 😴 While the initial 4-5 days were fueled by an adrenaline rush, the subsequent months were described as miserable and exhausting for Altman.
• 😔 He felt like a "patient with some really bad diagnosis," noting that people would avert their eyes, unsure how to interact with him after the ordeal.