Sam Altman is at OpenAI (with a guest pass) | Hacker News Reader

Sam Altman is at OpenAI (with a guest pass)

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45 pointsdavidbarker19 comments

Can you imagine having a guest pass at the company you founded?

not sure why you're downvoted, that would be absolutely miserable

That's the joke.

For some reason, the very first thing that came in my mind was Steve Jobs when he got ousted from Apple...I'm not a business owner, but my stomach hurts when I read such things :( to be kicked out of your own creation...what a horrible feeling, goodness gracious!

Altman did not found OpenAI, although he was an initial board member.

And, if he is to be believed, he holds zero shares. I guess that shows what the board thinks he is worth.

Though the title is interesting:

"first and last time i ever wear one of these".

So either he is going to be CEO, or he is never coming back...

He will likely be the CEO and the board will resign. Microsoft does not have direct influence but it has significant indirect influence and OpenAI won't be able to exist for long if Microsoft and the investors launch a combined attack on OpenAI. He shouldn't have bothered with the philanthropic BS if all he wanted was profit

What do you mean he shouldn't have bothered. Quick recap:

1. OpenAI was founded to study and create AI/AGI as a non-profit with Elon pledging half a billion, and other investors also pledging.

2. A fraction of the funds are wired. Elon waits until this "grant" is almost spent and places an ultimatum "make me CEO or you don't get a cent."

3. Board (back then made of different people) says "scram". He resigns and takes his money.

4. OpenAI scrambles to find sources of funding. Microsoft is interested.

5. They create the for-profit branch owned by the not-for-profit company to deal with Microsoft's projects and investment.

So in that sequence of events, no one had a choice. Elon lied to them and tried to force their hand, they chose integrity and had to find a way to survive or cease to exist.

This is more entertaining than most Marvel movies.

Not hard these days.

Unexpected episode of Undercover Boss...

At least he's making light of the situation. It could be a lot more tense than this.

Perspective B: https://twitter.com/jasonkwon/status/1726348678116548979

Why is this post flagged?

Because we are flooded with posts on this topic and this particular post is not interesting

I think it is interesting because of it being a primary source rather than a second hand report, and it is timely. But I get that HN isn't supposed to be a live news channel.

I hope he keeps that guest pass - it is going to become a collectors item in decades to come.

"Let that sink in!"

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