Regardless of the Safety vs. Capitalism debate, where I think many people would be for #1, the way this situation unfolded clearly showed that it was not done in a professional manner.
You don’t fire the CEO of a company with no clear reason, and nothing specific you can mention in writing just after some major public events where the focus of the world was on the company. Regardless of where we stand on the main debate, I think we can all agree on that.
The timing and the process showed the need for change in Governance.
CEOs of other companies should take a look in the mirror, and wonder whether any of their employees including their replacement would do what we have seen the employees of OpenAI do in the past few days.
Then re-evaluate whether you are really the great leader you think you are, and where you can improve. Let us start with communication to begin with 😉
Whether you like Sam or not, I think it shows leadership when 95% of the company is ready to walk out with you. Like I mentioned earlier, if you truly believe and respect in someone, the best time to walk is when they are fired. It is hard, and probably almost impossible for someone on an H1b visa, but for almost everyone else it is doable.
