Sacked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Join Satya Nadella's Microsoft, Who is Sam Altman?
by Sangamithra
Updated Nov 21, 2023
Sacked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Join Satya Nadella's Microsoft
Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, has been announced to join Microsoft, according to a statement from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Altman was dismissed from OpenAI just 48 hours prior to this announcement, causing a stir in the tech industry.
Satya Nadella revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Altman would lead a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft. This move comes amid speculation about Altman potentially returning to OpenAI or starting a rival company.
Emmett Shear, former CEO of Twitch, will now head OpenAI. Shear expressed concerns about the existential threat posed by AI, citing its potential for unsupervised self-improvement. Altman's dismissal from OpenAI was attributed to a loss of confidence by the board, citing issues with communication. The sudden change raised concerns among employees, investors, and the tech industry.
Altman's firing had triggered support from Silicon Valley figures, but instead of a return or a new venture, he is now joining Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI. Altman's role at Microsoft will involve leading an advanced AI research team, marking a significant development in the evolving landscape of AI leadership.
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Who is Sam Altman?
Sam Altman is an American entrepreneur and investor known for his roles in various tech ventures. He dropped out of Stanford University to co-found Loopt, a location-based social networking app. Later, Altman became the president of Y Combinator, a renowned startup accelerator, from 2014 to 2019.
His significant contributions include serving as the CEO of OpenAI from 2019 to 2023. OpenAI is a prominent artificial intelligence research lab. However, Altman faced a sudden ousting from OpenAI in 2023, leading to speculation about his next move.
In a surprising turn of events, Altman has joined Microsoft to lead an advanced AI research team. Despite the uncertainties in his career, Altman remains a notable figure in the tech industry, emphasizing his impact on entrepreneurship and AI innovation.
Full Name
Samuel Harris Altman
Birth Date
April 22, 1985
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education
Dropped out of Stanford University (2005)
Notable Roles
Co-founder of Loopt, President of Y Combinator, CEO of OpenAI
Key Investments
Airbnb, Stripe
Current Position
Lead of an advanced AI research team at Microsoft,
Chairman at Helion (nuclear fission firm)
OpenAI Sam Altman
OpenAI, initially funded by Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and others, launched in 2015 with an impressive $1 billion in funding. In March 2019, Altman left Y Combinator to fully dedicate himself to OpenAI as its CEO. During the summer of 2019, he played a key role in securing an additional $1 billion investment from Microsoft.
However, on November 17, 2023, OpenAI's board decided to remove Altman as CEO, citing issues of inconsistent communication. The Verge reported discussions about possibly reinstating him the day after his removal. Before the removal, there were indications that Altman was informing investors about his plans to start a new company. This marked a significant turn of events in Altman's association with OpenAI and raised questions about the organization's leadership.
Sam Altman's Early Life
Sam Altman, born in Chicago, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American entrepreneur. Growing up, Altman was exposed to technology early on, receiving his first computer, an Apple Macintosh, at the age of eight. His mother is a dermatologist, and his childhood hero was Steve Jobs.
Altman attended John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri. Despite starting college at Stanford University to study computer science in 2005, he decided to drop out after one year without completing his degree. This marked the beginning of Altman's journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship.
Sam Altman Career
Sam Altman, born on April 22, 1985, in Chicago, has had a diverse career in the tech and business world. At the age of 19, in 2005, he co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking app. Despite raising over $30 million in venture capital, Loopt was later acquired in 2012 by the Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million.
Altman briefly served as the CEO of Reddit in 2014 and later became the president of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator, in 2014. His tenure at Y Combinator included efforts to expand funding for various types of companies, especially those focused on "hard technology." Altman also played a significant role in the creation of YC Continuity, a $700 million equity fund.
In 2019, Altman transitioned to focus on OpenAI as its CEO, helping raise $1 billion from Microsoft. However, in November 2023, he was removed as CEO due to communication issues. Shortly after, Altman joined Microsoft to lead an advanced AI research team.
Outside of tech, Altman invests in startups and nuclear energy companies, holding roles as chairman of the board for Helion and Oklo. He has also been involved in political initiatives and contributed to various causes, including funding clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, after the success of ChatGPT, he embarked on a world tour, meeting leaders and diplomats across 22 countries in 2023.
Sam Altman Age
Sam Altman was born on April 22, 1985, making him 38 years old as of 2023. Born in Chicago, Altman has had a notable career as an entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded Loopt at the age of 19, later served as the president of Y Combinator, and became the CEO of OpenAI in 2019.
Despite facing challenges and unexpected changes in leadership, Altman continues to be a prominent figure in the tech industry. His contributions extend beyond business, with involvement in AI research, startups, and political initiatives, showcasing a multifaceted career at a relatively young age.
Sam Altman's Net Worth
Entrepreneur Sam Altman has amassed a significant fortune, estimated to be around $500 million, according to The Street. Calculating an individual's net worth can be challenging, especially without access to detailed financial information. Altman's wealth is attributed to his involvement in numerous business ventures, particularly investments in technology companies like Airbnb and Stripe.
Additionally, he serves as the chairman of Helion, a nuclear fission firm. While exact figures may vary, Altman's substantial net worth reflects his success in the tech industry and strategic investments. It's important to note that net worth assessments often rely on publicly available information and may not capture the full extent of an individual's financial portfolio.
Sacked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to join Satya Nadella's Microsoft - FAQs
OpenAI's board cited a loss of confidence and communication issues as the reasons for Altman's dismissal.
Altman is set to lead a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft under CEO Satya Nadella.
Altman left Y Combinator in March 2019 to focus full-time on his role as CEO of OpenAI.
Altman's investments include Airbnb, Stripe, and he serves as chairman of nuclear fission firm Helion.
Altman co-founded Loopt in 2005, a location-based social networking app later acquired by Green Dot Corporation in 2012.