OpenAI CEO Sam Altman provided reassurance to staff during an internal meeting regarding the ongoing investigation into his departure and subsequent return as CEO. The investigation, one of several circling the AI company, has left employees grappling with uncertainties while they diligently pursue projects like GPT-5, report Business Insider.
Altman, known for his approachability, faced inquiries from employees during a recent all-hands meeting.
When asked about the internal investigation, prompted by his tumultuous exit and reinstatement late last year,
Altman simply stated that it would conclude “soon,” leaving employees with scant details, according to sources privy to the discussion.
Expectations internally suggest that the investigation may wrap up by the end of the first quarter, according to one source.
While the investigation nearing its end was reported by major outlets like the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, Altman’s acknowledgment of it to employees remained unreported until now.
However, this recent lack of transparency marks a departure from Altman’s previous openness with staff, noted one source.
Since his forced departure from the company he co-founded, dubbed “the coup” by many OpenAI employees, Altman’s public profile has risen, attracting heightened scrutiny.
Despite his continued accessibility to staff, significant aspects of the company’s operations remain opaque to employees.
Recent revelations, such as Altman’s sole ownership of the OpenAI Startup Fund disclosed to the SEC without internal notification, have left employees surprised and concerned.
The SEC investigation into Altman’s communications, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, has also fueled apprehension among employees. Additionally, the FTC’s scrutiny of OpenAI’s ties with Microsoft adds to the unease within the company.
While many employees are focused on their work, particularly on projects like GPT-5, increased public awareness of Altman has brought added pressure, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Confusion persists among employees and observers alike regarding OpenAI’s complex operational structure, leading some to speculate about potential simplifications prompted by ongoing investigations.
Employees also express concerns about their equity compensation, characterized by profit participation units (PPUs), which lack transparency in allocation.
Altman’s departure and the recent exit of founding member Andrej Karpathy have further underscored uncertainties within the company.
Amidst the ambiguity, questions regarding the status of Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co founder and former chief scientist, persist without official clarification from the company.
Despite this, Altman’s improved mood in recent weeks suggests a potential easing of tensions stemming from past events, according to sources.
With Sutskever absent, other leaders like Greg Brockman and Jakub Pachoki are stepping into the forefront, addressing employees more frequently.
