Hundreds of OpenAI employees are calling for the resignation of the company's ChatGPT board and threatening to walk out after a tumultuous weekend that began with the surprise firing of CEO Sam Altman and ended with Altman being hired by Microsoft.
The more than 500 employees accused OpenAI's board of mishandling Oltman's firing, failing to provide sufficient evidence for allegations that Altman was not forthcoming with the board, and "negotiating in bad faith" with the company's executive management.
"Your actions have demonstrated that you are incapable of leading OpenAI," the officials wrote. "We are unable to work for or with people who lack competence, judgment and care for our mission and employees."
Employees also warned that they would "inevitably" follow Altman to Microsoft unless the board resigns and reinstates Altman and Greg Brockman, the former president of OpenAI, who was also removed from the board.
Signatories include Mira Muratti, who was named by the board as Altman's interim successor, as well as Ilya Sutzkever, OpenAI's co-founder, chief scientist and board member, who was reported to have played a role in Altman's firing. Muratti's promotion has since been replaced by the appointment of new interim CEO Emmett Shear, the 40-year-old co-founder of live streaming company Twitch.
Satskever published an apology in X acknowledging his contribution to the leadership crisis, which appears to have revolved around tensions between Altman and the board over the pace and scope of AI development.
"I deeply regret my involvement in the board's actions," he said. "I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and will do everything I can to bring the company together."
The letter highlights internal disagreements at OpenAI that became public after Altman's firing
