Inside the Deposition That Showed How OpenAI Nearly Destroyed Itself
A recent deposition from OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever reveals serious internal strife leading to the near destruction of the company following Sam Altman's firing in November 2023. Sutskever detailed a 52-page memo accusing Altman of lying and fostering discord among executives, yet largely relied on unverified information from CTO Mira Murati. The deposition highlighted a tense board dynamic, where some members felt that destroying OpenAI could align with its mission of AI safety. Notably, discussions around merging with competitor Anthropic occurred just days after Altman's dismissal, reflecting desperation and a potential collapse of the organization. Sutskever admitted to manipulating board dynamics over a year to facilitate Altman's ousting, illustrating strategic long-term thinking despite public appearances. Ultimately, staff loyalty to Altman was underestimated, with over 700 employees threatening to leave without his return, showcasing significant organizational miscalculations. The situation exemplifies how governance failures can coincide with technological advancements, jeopardizing the future of AI development.
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