The latest personnel news from the emerging AI giant OpenAI has attracted market attention.
According to the latest media report on January 8th, Microsoft Vice President Di Templeton has joined OpenAI's board of directors as a non voting observer and has begun attending OpenAI's board meetings. It is reported that Templeton is able to represent Microsoft in OpenAI's board meetings and obtain key information, but does not have voting rights in OpenAI's elections or selection of directors.
According to public information, Templeton joined Microsoft in 1998 and became the first female technical employee of the company's New Zealand office. She recently became a consultant to Kevin Scott, Microsoft's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Executive Vice President of the AI Business Unit, responsible for overseeing approximately 1500 scientists and engineers in Microsoft's technology and research team, and leading the team to manage Microsoft's relationships with some partners, including collaboration with OpenAI.
The "palace battle" drama of OpenAI can be described as ups and downs. Last November, Sam Altman, one of the founders and CEO of OpenAI, and Greg Brockman, the president and co-founder, were fired from the OpenAI board and both resigned. Shortly thereafter, they announced their joining of Microsoft to lead a new senior artificial intelligence research team. However, over 95% of OpenAI employees signed a joint letter calling on the board to resign and allow Ultraman to return.
In the end, this controversy ended with Ultraman's return to the company, and the OpenAI board announced a restructuring. It is worth noting that in this controversy, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has always publicly stated that she will provide support for Ultraman.