Paul Graham, the co-founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator, addressed claims about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s resignation from Y Combinator in 2019 on X. Graham clarified that Altman was not fired from Y Combinator but rather chose to step down when faced with a decision regarding his involvement with OpenAI.
Altman joined Y Combinator in 2011 and was appointed president in 2014. He co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and juggled responsibilities at both organizations until 2019 when he was asked to prioritize one over the other. Altman agreed to focus on OpenAI, leading to his departure from Y Combinator.
Contrary to reports suggesting Altman was forced to resign due to prioritizing personal projects, Graham’s version of events indicates a mutual decision between Altman and Y Combinator’s leadership. The controversy surrounding Altman’s departure has led to conflicting narratives from different sources.
Graham also addressed concerns about Y Combinator’s investment in OpenAI, stating that he was unaware of the investment made before Altman’s full-time involvement with OpenAI. The timing of Graham’s statements coincides with a rebuttal from OpenAI board members refuting claims about Altman’s leadership abilities.
Recent reports suggest that Altman is considering transitioning OpenAI into a for-profit entity, potentially influenced by pressure from investors like Microsoft. This decision has raised questions about the future direction of OpenAI and Altman’s ability to navigate profit-driven incentives.
