OpenAI Leadership Team: Iconic Photo and Its Last Survivor

In a notable shift within OpenAI's leadership, only CEO Sam Altman remains from the four executives featured in a March 2023 photo. Mira Murati, who served as chief technology officer, announced her departure after six-and-a-half years, marking a significant change in the company's operational dynamics. Murati was instrumental in the company's day-to-day functions and had previously played a role in Altman's temporary ousting, raising concerns about his management style and the risks associated with AI. The recent departures also include Ilya Sutskever, a cofounder and former board member, who left to start his own AI company, Safe Superintelligence. Greg Brockman, the president, has taken a sabbatical following Altman's reinstatement. These changes come amid a broader transition for OpenAI as it shifts from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, which has sparked discussions about the implications for its foundational mission to benefit humanity. Altman acknowledged the unusual nature of the recent exodus of senior talent, emphasizing that leadership changes are common in rapidly growing companies. However, he noted that the abruptness of these changes is not typical for OpenAI. The company has also seen the departure of other key employees, including its chief research officer and a vice president of research. As OpenAI navigates these leadership transitions, the future direction of the company and its commitment to its original mission remain in question, particularly as it adapts to a new business model.