Microsoft, Salesforce, and Nvidia Eye OpenAI Talent Amid Walkout Rumblings

The stability of OpenAI is under scrutiny as employees contemplate a walkout following the dismissal of former CEO and co-founder Sam Altman.

Since the departure of CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI faces potential upheaval with many staff members considering a walkout to protest the action. This unrest could place the future of the company at risk.

High-profile tech leaders have been quick to extend employment offers to those at OpenAI mulling over leaving. Microsoft's CTO Kevin Scott conveyed an open invitation to disgruntled OpenAI staff, offering positions at Microsoft's AI Research Lab with benefits mirroring their current terms. Scott expressed alignment with the collective mission of AI advancement.

Marc Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce, also stepped in, promising to equal the full cash and equity compensation for any departing OpenAI researcher willing to join Salesforce's Einstein Trusted AI research team.

Moreover, top executives from Meta's FAIR and Nvidia have been actively recruiting, reaching out to OpenAI employees with job offers to join their respective teams.

The last year has seen OpenAI release 'ChatGPT', garnering high praise and catapulting the company's valuation to heights of around $86 billion. Nevertheless, the sudden removal of Altman on November 17 has led to significant disorder within the company.

A large number—about 700 out of 770—of employees, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever, have signaled their willingness to walk out in support of Altman, pressing for his reinstatement.

This situation raises speculations about potential impacts on the sector, with some industry observers hypothesizing about scenarios where a company like Microsoft could execute a strategized acquisition of OpenAI's talent, essentially absorbing the company's capabilities.

Amidst these conjectures, reports indicate that current OpenAI board members and newly-appointed CEO Emmett Shear are holding critical discussions with employees and stakeholders to negotiate a resolution.

With Altman now leading an AI division at Microsoft, it is uncertain whether he would have an interest in returning to OpenAI, leaving the situation in flux. The outcomes hinge on whether OpenAI reverses its decision and if Altman chooses to reengage with the firm.

Microsoft, Salesforce, Nvidia, OpenAI, walkout, employment