Twitch’s Former CEO Emmett Shear Takes Charge at OpenAI as Interim CEO

OpenAI, the company behind the rapidly growing ChatGPT, has undergone a major leadership change. Emmett Shear, former CEO of Twitch, has been appointed as the interim CEO, replacing Mira Murati, who temporarily held the position. This announcement comes after Sam Altman’s surprising dismissal from the CEO role by OpenAI’s nonprofit board.

In an extraordinary turn of events, OpenAI has seen three different CEOs in just three days. The company, which has seen its valuation skyrocket to between $80 and $90 billion due to the success of ChatGPT, is facing a tumultuous period. ChatGPT itself has become a sensation, amassing over 100 million weekly users, according to a report earlier this month by Altman.

The drama unfolded when Altman was fired on a Friday, with the board citing a lack of “consistent candor in his communications” as revealed in an OpenAI blog post. They stated that Altman’s lack of transparency hindered their ability to perform their duties effectively. As we learned, there was immediate talk of bringing Altman back, spurred by investor pressure and the threat of a mass employee walkout.

The situation escalated over the weekend. Sources told The Verge that OpenAI’s board members faced an ultimatum: resign and reinstate Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman by 5 PM PT on Saturday, or face numerous staff resignations. After the deadline passed, OpenAI employees began voicing their support for Altman on social media.

In a dramatic scene on Monday, Altman visited OpenAI’s office, indicating it would be his last visit unless he returned as CEO. Following intense negotiations, it became clear that his return would not materialize.

Now, with Shear at the helm as interim CEO, OpenAI navigates a new chapter amidst its groundbreaking advancements in generative AI.