OpenAI interim CEO Emmett Shear: Factbox

OpenAI appoints ex-Twitch CEO Emmett Shear to replace Sam Altman, promising reform and safety in AI development. Industry rocked.

OpenAI, the company behind the popular ChatGPT, has appointed former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear as its interim CEO following the departure of former head Sam Altman. This move has caused a stir in the tech industry, as Shear is known for being a strong advocate for safety in the development of artificial intelligence.

Shear, who was part of the first batch of startup accelerator Y Combinator along with Altman, has outlined a plan for the future of OpenAI. He intends to revamp the startup's management team and bring in an independent investigator to look into Altman's departure.

Some key points about Emmett Shear include his recent departure from Twitch, a live video streaming platform owned by Amazon.com, where he served as CEO for over 16 years. Shear co-founded the platform as Justin.tv in 2006, later changing its name to Twitch in 2011. The platform gained popularity in the gaming community and was eventually acquired by Amazon for nearly $1 billion in 2014.

In addition to his role at Twitch, Shear has also been a partner at Y Combinator for the past seven months, providing guidance to startups on fundraising and technical strategies. With a bachelor's degree in computer science from Yale University, Shear has a strong background in the tech industry.

According to a recommendation on his LinkedIn profile from Twitch co-founder Justin Kan, Shear is described as a hardworking and highly intelligent individual, making him a valuable co-founder.

With Shear now at the helm of OpenAI, the company is poised for a new chapter under his leadership. His experience in the tech industry and commitment to safety in AI development make him a strong choice for the role. This change in leadership will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future direction of OpenAI and its products.