Mira Murati Says Sam Altman Created 'Chaos' at OpenAI

Key Takeaways

• Mira Murati testified that Sam Altman said 'one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another'
• Elon Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft
• Former board member Shivon Zilis said the board voiced 'extreme concern' about ChatGPT's release without board communication

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati testified Wednesday that CEO Sam Altman created distrust among the company's top executives. Her recorded testimony was played in Oakland, California federal court during the second week of Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI.

"My concern was about Sam saying one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another person," Murati said. She described Altman as "creating chaos" and, at times, being deceptive with her and other executives.

“My concern was about Sam saying one thing to one person and completely the opposite to another person.”

— Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO

Murati briefly served as OpenAI's CEO after the board temporarily forced out Altman in 2023. She has since left the company and co-founded her own AI startup.

Musk Seeks $150 Billion in Damages

Elon Musk, the world's richest person and an OpenAI co-founder, sued the company in 2024. He claims OpenAI improperly became a for-profit company and abandoned its charitable goals. Musk argues it should turn back into a nonprofit.

If successful, the lawsuit could benefit Musk by hindering the commercial ambitions of a competitor to his own AI startup xAI, which is now part of SpaceX. The trial could determine the future of OpenAI, which has tremendous influence over AI development and deployment in schools, government agencies, and businesses.

Internal Conflicts and the 2023 Board Crisis

Murati testified that Altman pitted executives against one another and undermined her role as technology chief. Despite these concerns, she said she wanted him to remain CEO. She pressed board members for a fuller justification when they ousted him in November 2023.

“OpenAI was at catastrophic risk of falling apart. I was concerned about the company completely blowing up.”

— Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO

The testimony paints a picture of a company in turmoil even before the dramatic board coup that briefly removed Altman. He was reinstated days later after a massive employee backlash and pressure from Microsoft.

ChatGPT Launch Raised Board Concerns

Former board member Shivon Zilis also testified about the internal chaos. She said the board "voiced extreme concern" about releasing ChatGPT "without any semblance of board communication." When asked whether she raised concerns about Altman internally, Zilis said "there had been a couple of instances."

Zilis now works for Musk's Neuralink. She is also the mother of four of his children. The trial has also included testimony from Musk and OpenAI President Greg Brockman.

What's at Stake

The trial centers on whether OpenAI betrayed its founding principles when it shifted from a nonprofit to a capped-profit structure. Musk's early funding was crucial to launching the company, but he departed from its board in 2018.

OpenAI has become the most prominent AI company in the world since launching ChatGPT in November 2022. The chatbot reached 100 million users faster than any consumer application in history. The company's technology now powers products across education, enterprise software, and government systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Mira Murati say about Sam Altman?

Murati testified that Altman created chaos by saying different things to different people, pitted executives against each other, and undermined her role as CTO.

How much is Elon Musk suing OpenAI for?

Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages from OpenAI and investor Microsoft to benefit OpenAI's charitable arm.

Why did the OpenAI board fire Sam Altman in 2023?

The board never publicly gave a full explanation. Murati testified she pressed board members for a fuller justification, suggesting the reasons were not clearly communicated even internally.

What is Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI about?

Musk claims OpenAI improperly became a for-profit company, abandoned its charitable goals, and should return to being a nonprofit.

Who is Shivon Zilis?

Zilis is a former OpenAI board member who now works at Musk's Neuralink. She testified that the board had concerns about ChatGPT's release happening without proper board communication.

Source: Tech-Economic Times / ET