The sudden removal of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday was met with shock and disapproval by the company’s employees. More than 90% signed a letter threatening to leave OpenAI if the board didn’t resign and reinstate Altman – who has since apparently been poached by Microsoft, along with a number of other key former staff.
The OpenAI employees had faith in Altman. They believed in his vision and they did not like that the board could dismiss him so easily.
Is their upset justified? Did the board overstep its bounds? Or did it exercise a necessary check on power?