Sam Altman: From ChatGPT Success to Challenges and Controversy
Sam Altman experienced a meteoric rise last year, propelled by the success of ChatGPT. He became a household name, sought after by world leaders, and his personal wealth soared. However, a sudden crisis arose just before Thanksgiving when OpenAI’s nonprofit board dismissed him, citing dishonesty. Altman fought back, regaining his position by Thanksgiving. Despite his victory, the incident cast a shadow over what had been a remarkable year.
In 2024, Altman continued to lead OpenAI, overseeing the launch of new products, including a voice assistant, video generator, and AI search engine. He also pursued ambitious projects to secure OpenAI’s future. In February, he sought billions of dollars from investors to create a new chip manufacturer, aiming to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in the AI hardware market. In July, he published an essay in the Washington Post, advocating for stronger cybersecurity, increased investment in AI hardware, and international collaboration on AI regulations.
Since the Thanksgiving incident, Altman’s assertion that OpenAI is developing AI for humanity’s benefit has faced increased scrutiny. News outlets have raised concerns about his potential conflicts of interest, despite his lack of equity and modest salary. He holds significant stakes in several companies that collaborate with or utilize OpenAI’s technology. Several of OpenAI’s top safety researchers have resigned in recent months, with one claiming that safety has taken a backseat to product development under Altman’s leadership. Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and a close ally of Altman, is taking an extended leave of absence to spend time with his family. Additionally, Altman has been involved in controversy regarding restrictive non-disclosure agreements, leading to whistleblowers initiating investigations. Altman denied knowledge of a non-disparagement clause that could prevent employees from selling their equity, and affirmed that OpenAI would never claw back vested equity.
Despite these challenges, Altman’s position seems secure. Following the resignations of safety researchers, OpenAI established a new safety committee to review and strengthen safety measures. Bret Taylor, the newly appointed chair of OpenAI’s board, defended Altman against accusations of conflicts of interest, stating that all of Altman’s personal investments had been disclosed to the board. Despite the controversy, OpenAI has remained at the forefront of AI development, with its latest chatbot GPT4-o topping an open-source benchmark. As a seasoned startup investor and blogger, Altman often shares his wisdom, including the advice, “So much of being a successful entrepreneur is about just not giving up.”
*Disclosure: OpenAI and TIME have that allows OpenAI to access TIME’s archives.