OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever has announced his departure from the Microsoft-backed startup in a post on X. He stated that he is excited for his next project, which is personally meaningful to him, although he did not provide further details at this time. Sutskever’s exit comes after a leadership crisis at OpenAI in November, which saw the ousting and subsequent return of co-founder and CEO Sam Altman. The shake-up also led to the departure of board members Helen Toner, Tasha McCauley, and Ilya Sutskever, with Adam D’Angelo remaining on the board.
In response to Sutskever’s departure, Altman expressed sadness, describing Sutskever as one of the greatest minds of their generation. Altman praised Sutskever’s brilliance, vision, warmth, and compassion, highlighting his significant contributions to the field. Research director Jakub Pachocki, who has been with OpenAI since 2017, will take over as chief scientist following Sutskever’s exit. OpenAI has also announced new board members, including Bret Taylor and Larry Summers, with Microsoft securing a nonvoting board observer position.
OpenAI recently concluded an internal investigation by U.S. law firm WilmerHale into the events surrounding Altman’s ouster and subsequent return. Altman rejoined the board alongside new members, including Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, Nicole Seligman, and Fidji Simo. These new members will collaborate with existing board members to guide the company forward. Altman stated that the new board composition aims to harness a diverse range of expertise and perspectives to drive OpenAI’s mission.
The news of Sutskever’s departure follows OpenAI’s recent launch of a new AI model and desktop version of ChatGPT, along with an updated user interface. The company introduced GPT-4 to its free users, along with a faster and more capable model, GPT-4o, with enhanced text, video, and audio capabilities. OpenAI also revealed plans to allow users to engage in video chats with ChatGPT, marking a significant advancement in usability. Technology chief Mira Murati emphasized the importance of these updates in making OpenAI’s technology more accessible and convenient for users.
The departure of Ilya Sutskever from OpenAI marks a significant change within the company’s leadership structure. With Altman’s return and the addition of new board members, OpenAI is poised to continue its mission of advancing AI research and technology. The rollout of new models and features, such as GPT-4 and video chat capabilities, demonstrates OpenAI’s commitment to innovation and expanding the practical applications of its AI technology. Despite recent challenges, OpenAI remains focused on pushing the boundaries of AI development and making its cutting-edge technology more accessible to users.
