Sam Altman to lead Microsoft's AI team after leaving OpenAI

This announcement by Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella follows the surprising news of Altman's dismissal from OpenAI. The decision by OpenAI's board to not reinstate Altman was unexpected and caused concern among investors and employees, fearing it could lead to a talent exodus and affect an upcoming major share sale.

Despite the turmoil, Microsoft remains a significant investor in OpenAI, having contributed over $10 billion. The company has also integrated OpenAI's technology into its products. Altman is reportedly considering returning to OpenAI in some capacity, potentially even taking a place on the board. This move comes amidst discussions about improving the company's governance structure.

The shake-up at OpenAI also includes the appointment of former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear to replace Altman. Shear's arrival means that interim CEO Mira Murati will step down from her role. These leadership changes at OpenAI occur against the backdrop of the company's significant impact on the tech industry, particularly through the release of ChatGPT, which has rapidly become one of the world's fastest-growing software applications​.