Emmett Shear: The new OpenAI CEO replacing Sam Altman

Emmett Shear, former CEO of Twitch, steps in as interim CEO of OpenAI amid speculation and questions following Sam Altman's departure.

OpenAI, a prominent player in the world of artificial intelligence, has named Emmett Shear as its interim CEO, taking over from Sam Altman. Shear, known for his role as co-founder and CEO of Twitch, quickly stepped into the position after being approached by the company.

Shear's appointment comes with a wealth of experience in Silicon Valley, having guided Twitch to global success before its acquisition by Amazon for $1 billion in 2014. Following his departure from Twitch, Shear joined Y Combinator as a partner, further solidifying his reputation in the tech industry.

The decision to bring Shear on board at OpenAI comes at a time of uncertainty following Altman's departure. In a post on X, Shear expressed his belief that OpenAI is a crucial company, solidifying his commitment to the role. This move places him in charge of a company known for its popular generative AI chatbot, ChatGPT.

Shear's appointment follows a series of swift changes within OpenAI, including Altman's removal and the subsequent appointment of Mira Murati as chief technology officer. Shear's arrival aims to stabilize the company and address concerns raised by employees and the broader AI community.

He has outlined a three-point plan for the next 30 days, prioritizing transparency and reform. This includes hiring an independent investigator to look into the circumstances surrounding Altman's departure, engaging with employees, partners, investors, and customers, and restructuring the management and leadership teams.

"I want to do everything in my power to protect [OpenAI] and grow it further," Shear stated. While acknowledging the challenges ahead, he is committed to addressing key concerns, even if some issues may take longer than a month to resolve.

Amid the changes, Shear has reassured that OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft remains strong, emphasizing his dedication to serving customers effectively. However, he also acknowledged the mishandling of the communication around Altman's removal, stating, "And it's clear that the process and communications around Sam's removal have been handled very badly, which has seriously damaged our trust."

The unexpected developments at OpenAI raise questions about the company's future and its role in advancing AI technology. Shear faces the challenge of healing internal divisions, ensuring transparency, and maintaining OpenAI's position as a key player in the AI landscape.