OpenAI Drama’s First Season Ends but Second Season Is Possible
The OpenAI soap opera’s first season is over. And just in time for all involved—even reporters—to take a break for Thanksgiving. Their moods may vary. While many people, including executives, employees and investors in OpenAI, are surely thrilled the boardroom drama got resolved with Sam Altman’s reinstatement as CEO, doubtless a few aren’t so happy. Those would include Altman’s critics at OpenAI as well as the startup’s rivals, who you can imagine have been rubbing their hands with glee in recent days. But hey, all good things come to an end, eventually.
Still, those who enjoyed the drama should remember that a lot remains unresolved. OpenAI’s unconventional corporate structure, which resulted in the company’s board having no investor representation, hasn’t changed, we reported. Also unresolved is the tension between speedily developing OpenAI’s business while trying to adhere to the organization’s mission of doing so safely. That issue was, by many accounts, one that fueled the boardroom drama.
The impact of the boardroom turmoil on OpenAI’s business is uncertain—surely customers were a little rattled by the turn of events, even if they’re happy with the final outcome. Ditto for investors. One test of post-upheaval investor attitudes will come in the $86 billion stock tender, due to close next month, as we outlined here today. For more on what comes next, see here. For a great look back at the work, see our piece in The Weekend here. (Its narrative prompts a question: Just how much Boba Guys product can Sam Altman’s crew imbibe?)
The bottom line is that a second season of this drama is likely to be greenlit. Indeed, as OpenAI is going to investigate the alleged conduct that led to Altman’s ouster, some tumultuous times ahead are guaranteed. For now, though, we all need to find another soap opera to watch. For that, there’s always the marvelous adventures of Elon Musk.