OpenAI Appoints Emmett Shear as Interim CEO
November 20, Reuters
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced the appointment of Emmett Shear, former Twitch CEO, as its interim chief executive officer. This decision follows the unexpected departure of former head Sam Altman, sending shockwaves through the tech industry.
Emmett Shear, a notable figure who was part of the inaugural cohort of the Y Combinator startup accelerator alongside Altman, is renowned for his outspoken advocacy of safety in the development of artificial intelligence.
Addressing the transition, Shear shared his plan for the future of OpenAI. He expressed intentions to revamp the startup's management team and outlined the hiring of an independent investigator to delve into the circumstances surrounding Altman's departure.
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OpenAI Names Emmett Shear as Interim CEO
May 2018. REUTERS TV via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
On November 20, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, announced the appointment of Emmett Shear as its interim chief executive officer, taking over from former head Sam Altman. The unexpected move sent shockwaves through the tech industry.
Emmett Shear, a prominent figure and ex-Twitch boss, was part of the initial cohort of the Y Combinator startup accelerator, sharing the stage with Altman. Known for his strong advocacy of safety in AI development, Shear wasted no time in unveiling his strategy for the future of OpenAI.
During the announcement, Shear outlined his plan, emphasizing the reform of OpenAI's management team. He also disclosed the intention to hire an independent investigator to delve into the circumstances surrounding Sam Altman's departure.
Facts about Emmett Shear:
- At 40, Shear stepped down as the CEO of Amazon.com (AMZN.O)-owned Twitch in March, concluding over 16 years of leadership in the live video streaming platform.
- Originally co-founded as Justin.tv in 2006 by Shear, the platform underwent a name change to Twitch in 2011. Amazon acquired it for just under $1 billion in 2014.
- For the past seven months, Shear has served as a partner at Y Combinator, providing guidance to startups on various aspects, from fundraising strategy to technical approaches.
- A Seattle native, Shear holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Yale University.
- In a LinkedIn recommendation, Twitch co-founder Justin Kan commended Shear, stating, "Emmett is a great co-founder: works hard, doesn't complain, and the smartest guy I know."
Sources: Forbes, Reuters reporting, and LinkedIn
Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil and Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva