Emmett Shear lasted just 72 hours as Sam Altmans replacement as OpenAI CEO. He says hes deeply pleased with the result.
Emmett Shearwho cofounded and formerly headed up streaming service Twitchwasnamed interim CEOof OpenAI on Sunday afterSam Altmans shocking ouster, only to be replaced around three days later when Altman was reinstated.
In a Tuesday night post on X, Shear insisted he was happy with Altman being brought back to lead OpenAIeven though it meant he would have to step aside.
I am deeply pleased by this result, after [around] 72 very intense hours of work, he wrote. Im glad to have been part of the solution.
I am deeply pleased by this result, after ~72 very intense hours of work. Coming into OpenAI, I wasnt sure what the right path would be. This was the pathway that maximized safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved. Im glad to have been a part of the solution. https://t.co/AGoDBbwhkq
Before taking the top job at OpenAI, Shearwho sold his company to Amazonfor almost $1 billion in 2014described himself in his X profile bio as super opinionated. That descriptor was swiftly erased and replaced with interim CEO of OpenAI when he took the helm of the AI developer. His bio now reads: Interim ex-CEO of OpenAI.
Earlier this year, Shear stepped down from Twitchto spend time with his baby son.
I want to be fully there for my son as he enters this world and I feel ready for this change to tackle new challenges, he said at the time.
He took the job at ChatGPT developer OpenAIa gig he labeled a once in a lifetime opportunityafter his predecessor was ousted from the firm over apparent friction with its board of directors.
Responding to a question on X at the time, Shear said he had been made OpenAIs CEO rapidly and unexpectedly.
Despite being thrust into the position so quickly, Shear had already outlined a three-point plan for his first 30 days at OpenAI, which included launching an investigation into what went wrong at the company, engaging with employees, investors and customers, and reshaping company governance.
It is unclear what Shears next career move will be now that he has handed the OpenAI reins back to Altman.
Late Tuesday night, OpenAI announced that Altman was to be reinstated as CEO and that the companys board would be almost entirely replaced with new members including ex-U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and formerSalesforceco-CEO Bret Taylor.
The latest move in the short-lived saga followed widespread speculation that Altman could return to lead the company he co-founded after OpenAI employees and investors pushed back against his unceremonious sacking.
OpenAI president Greg Brockmanquit alongside himin an apparent show of solidarity, while board member Ilya Sustkever publicly lamentedhis role in having Altman fired.
It was also widely reported that Mira MuratiOpenAIs chief technology officer who briefly held the CEO position between Altman being ousted and Shear being hiredwas planning to rehire both Altman and Brockman in some capacity.
In the few days between his dismissal from OpenAI and his return, Altman was onboarded by Microsofta major investor in OpenAIto lead its new in-house AI division.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a post on X on Tuesday night that the tech giant was encouraged by the changes that had been made to OpenAIs board of directors.
We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance, he wrote. Sam, Greg, and I have talked and agreed they have a key role to play along with the OAI leadership team in ensuring OAI continues to thrive and build on its mission.
Altman, meanwhile, wrote on X on Tuesday night that he loves OpenAI.
Everything Ive done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together, he said. When I decided to join [Microsoft] on Sunday evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. With the new board and with Satyas support, Im looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with Microsoft.
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