OpenAI Names New Interim CEO After Failed Bid to Reinstate Sam Altman

After a chaotic weekend of negotiations to potentially reinstate Sam Altman as CEO following his abrupt firing, OpenAI has named a new interim leader in a move that appears to end hopes of Altman's return.

On Sunday night, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever informed employees that Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, will take over as interim CEO effective immediately. Shear replaces Mira Murati, who had been serving as CEO on a temporary basis since Altman's dismissal by the OpenAI board on Friday.

The decision comes after the four-member OpenAI board, led by Sutskever, refused pressure to resign and allow Altman to resume his role as CEO. Altman had set deadlines of 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday for the board to step down, but both passed without an agreement to reinstate him.

Altman's sudden firing last week threw the company into disarray and prompted threats of a staff exodus to rivals like Google or Altman's planned new startup. Senior researchers and executives spent the weekend negotiating with the board to bring Altman and President Greg Brockman back but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Following the news of Shear's appointment, dozens of OpenAI employees reportedly resigned as of Sunday night. The turmoil threatens to deplete OpenAI of much of its research talent amid a lack of clarity around its leadership and direction.

Shear's appointment as CEO of the prominent AI nonprofit is unexpected, given his lack of experience in the field. He previously led Amazon-owned Twitch for several years before leaving earlier this year. It remains to be seen if he can stabilize OpenAI during this turbulent transition.