Microsoft is leaving OpenAI. Now the renowned developer of ChatGPT will operate independently. Bon voyage! Citing reliable sources, Bloomberg reported that Microsoft has withdrawn its observer from OpenAI's board of directors. Microsoft, which previously invested $13 billion in the ChatGPT developer, sent the AI startup a letter announcing its departure from the board.
Some analysts believed that Apple would take the vacated spot. However, according to an OpenAI representative, the startup will not have any observers on the board after Microsoft's departure. Notably, the interaction between the former partners was part of a deal to integrate ChatGPT into Siri, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. OpenAI's leadership expressed gratitude to Microsoft for “supporting the board of directors and the current direction of the company.”
For your reference, Microsoft obtained a non-voting seat on the AI startup's board following the events after which Sam Altman stepped down as the company CEO. In November 2023, Sam Altman was dismissed from his position. However, OpenAI employees did not welcome this decision and sent a collective letter to the board demanding their resignation and the reappointment of the former CEO. Major investors also demanded Altman's reinstatement. The company's management took these requirements into account and reinstated the CEO to his previous position.
