The board of the company overseeing ChatGPT fired Sam Altman from his role as OpenAI CEO. The company's chief technology officer, Mira Murati, will assume the role of interim CEO with immediate effect. 

Mira has been part of OpenAI's leadership for five years, playing a crucial role in the company's growth.  

The company in its statement said that Mira brings a unique skill set, and understanding of the company’s values, operations, and business, and already leads the company’s research, product, and safety functions. 

Currently, she is in charge of leading the company's research, product, and safety functions. 

“Because of her extensive experience and involvement in various aspects of the company, including AI governance and policy, the board sees her as a perfect fit for the interim CEO role, ensuring a smooth transition while they search for a permanent CEO,” the statement added. 

Altman shared his thoughts on X, discussing his unexpected exit from the company.

i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. most of all i loved working with such talented people.

will have more to say about what’s next later.

🫡

— Sam Altman (@sama) November 17, 2023

The board of directors said: “OpenAI was deliberately structured to advance our mission: to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all humanity. The board remains fully committed to serving this mission. We are grateful for Sam’s many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI. At the same time, we believe new leadership is necessary as we move forward. As the leader of the company’s research, product, and safety functions, Mira is exceptionally qualified to step into the role of interim CEO. We have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period.” 

Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities. The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI. 

As a part of this transition, Greg Brockman will be stepping down as chairman of the board and will remain in his role at the company, reporting to the CEO. 

OpenAI was founded as a non-profit in 2015 with the core mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. Altman co-founded the firm along with Elon Musk and Greg Brockman.