- Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner exposes reasons behind CEO Sam Altman’s ousting, citing lack of transparency and trust issues.
- Toner accuses Altman of withholding information, misrepresenting facts, and even lying to the board.
- Altman’s abrupt firing resulted from a breakdown in trust, according to an independent investigation, with Altman later reinstated by temporary board members.
Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner has shed light on the circumstances leading to CEO Sam Altman’s temporary ousting. Toner revealed on The Ted AI Show podcast that the board was unaware of the launch of ChatGPT until it went public in November 2022, leading to a breakdown in trust. She accused Altman of withholding information and outright lying to the board, eroding their confidence in his leadership.
Toner emphasized that Altman’s failure to disclose his ownership of the OpenAI startup fund further fueled mistrust among the board members. The board, originally established to prioritize OpenAI’s public good mission over profits and investor interests, found it challenging to fulfill its role due to Altman’s lack of transparency.
An independent investigation by WilmerHale confirmed a breakdown in trust between the prior board and Altman, resulting in his abrupt firing. However, Altman was later reinstated by temporary board members, including Brett Taylor and economist Larry Summers, among others. Toner’s revelations add to the ongoing controversies surrounding OpenAI, which has faced criticism for its leadership and ethics amidst the departure of key safety researchers.
