Sam Altman joins Microsoft, to lead AI research team

Microsoft has hired ex-OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who will now lead the tech gian’t advanced AI research team.
Microsoft invested billions in OpenAI and was among investors that tried to push for Altman’s return after his ouster last Friday.

Microsoft has pulled it off. The company that tried to push for the reinstatement of ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just announced he was now joining the tech giant.

On Monday November 20, the OpenAI board maintained Altman would not return as CEO, with his role handed to Emmett Shear – the former CEO of Twitch.

And now Satya Nadella, the Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation just announced Altman will join the company. He is also set to lead the tech giant’s new advanced AI research team.

“We’re extremely excited to share the news that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, together with colleagues, will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success,” Nadella noted in a post on X:

Microsoft will continue to partner with OpenAI, Nadella said. The company invested $10 billion in the artificial intelligence company.

“We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI’s new leadership team and working with them.”

Market observers say this is a big move from Microsoft, one like to cement its position within the AI space. Altman says “the mission continues”, perhaps alluding to continuing in the direction that might have put him at loggerheads with the OpenAI Inc. board