Companies

OpenAI's Board Proposes CEO Role to Anthropic's Chief Amid Merger Discussions

Published November 21, 2023

Amidst a significant shakeup at OpenAI, the company's board has recently reached out to Anthropic's CEO, formerly part of OpenAI's executive team, for leadership and a potential merger between the two artificial intelligence enterprises. This move comes amid OpenAI's search for a new CEO following the dismissal of Sam Altman.

Leadership Changes in AI Industry

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that OpenAI's board members have approached the CEO of their AI industry competitor, Anthropic, with a proposition to take over the top job, suggesting a replacement for Sam Altman. Following internal disagreements and the consequent departure of key figures from OpenAI, Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI executives focused on safe AI development.

The discussion also involved talks of a merger, which could potentially align two prominent players in the AI space. Despite the offer, Anthropic's CEO declined to step into the role or merge the companies.

Internal Strife at OpenAI

Follwing the ousting of Altman, OpenAI experienced further upheaval when it proposed Emmett Shear, the former Twitch CEO, as interim leader - a role he accepted. This transition caused unrest among OpenAI's personnel, with the threat of mass resignations from its employees, including senior members on its board.

Anthropic, meanwhile, has been gaining traction in the AI industry, securing financial backing from influential tech giants like Google and Amazon. With its own AI model, Claude, Anthropic has been a notable competitor to OpenAI's renowned GPT series.

These developments highlight the intense competition and strategic moves within the artificial intelligence sector, as companies vie for both technological advancements and leadership talent.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Merger