OpenAI’s New CEO Takes Critical Stance on Microsoft in Social Media Amidst Controversy

New OpenAI boss Emmett Shear has spoken out about his time at Microsoft, where he previously compared working there to selling his soul. Shear was appointed interim CEO of OpenAI on Sunday night after negotiations to bring back Sam Altman fell through. In a post on X, he said the way Altman had been ousted was “handled very badly” and had “seriously damaged our trust.”

Shear’s comments on working at Microsoft are unlikely to help as he tries to smooth over the relationship between OpenAI and its largest investor. Microsoft invested $10 billion in OpenAI and hired ex-CEO Sam Altman to head up a new AI team. However, Shear’s cautious approach to AI is likely to be different from Altman’s more aggressive stance.

In a post on X from September, Shear wrote that he was “in favor of slowing down” AI development. This suggests that he may take a more measured approach to AI than Altman, who has been known for his aggressive push towards developing advanced AI systems.

Microsoft boss Satya Nadella reportedly gave one minute’s notice of Altman’s firing, which left him “furious.” Nadella has since reaffirmed Microsoft’s commitment to OpenAI and said that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman would be joining Microsoft to head up a new AI team. It remains unclear when or if Shear will officially become CEO of OpenAI.