Introduction
In a recent development, John Schulman, one of the co-founders of OpenAI, has left the company to join rival AI startup Anthropic. This move comes at a time when OpenAI is facing significant leadership changes and departures.
Brockman’s Sabbatical
In addition to Schulman’s departure, OpenAI has also announced that president and co-founder Greg Brockman will be on an extended leave until the end of the year. This break is intended to give Brockman an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate after nine years with the company.
Recent Departures from OpenAI
The news of Schulman’s exit, combined with Brockman’s leave, has raised questions about the future of OpenAI. Peter Deng, who joined OpenAI last year and previously led products at Meta, Uber, and Airtable, left the company some time ago. This news was reported by The Information.
OpenAI’s Statement on Schulman’s Exit
In a statement, OpenAI expressed gratitude for Schulman’s contributions to the company, highlighting his foundational work in alignment research. They praised his dedication and hard work, which have set a strong foundation for future innovations.
Schulman’s Focus on AI Alignment
Schulman announced his decision to leave OpenAI on X, explaining that it was driven by a desire to focus more on AI alignment—the science of making sure AI systems act as intended—and to be more involved in technical work. He stated that he wanted to pursue this goal at Anthropic, where he believes he can gain new perspectives and do research alongside people deeply engaged with the topics he is most interested in.
Schulman’s New Role at Anthropic
Schulman expressed confidence that OpenAI and the teams he was part of will continue to succeed. He emphasized that his departure was not due to a lack of support from OpenAI’s leadership, who have been committed to alignment research. Schulman said, "My decision is a personal one, based on how I want to focus my efforts in the next phase of my career."
Schulman’s Contributions to OpenAI
After completing his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley, Schulman played a crucial role at OpenAI, particularly in developing ChatGPT. He led the reinforcement training team, which is responsible for fine-tuning AI models to follow human instructions.
Leadership Changes and AI Safety
Following Jan Leike’s departure to Anthropic, Schulman took over the leadership of OpenAI’s alignment science efforts and joined the safety committee. It is currently unclear who will replace him in these roles.
Remaining Founders at OpenAI
With Schulman’s departure, only three of OpenAI’s original 11 founders remain: CEO Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Wojciech Zaremba, who leads the language and code generation efforts.
Altman’s Farewell to Schulman
In a post on X, Altman thanked Schulman for his contributions to OpenAI, praising him as a brilliant researcher, a thoughtful individual regarding product and societal impacts, and a great friend. Altman expressed that Schulman would be missed and promised to make him proud.
The Impact of Leadership Changes
The departure of key leaders like Schulman and Leike has raised concerns about the future of OpenAI and its ability to continue innovating in AI alignment research. However, OpenAI’s leadership has assured that they will continue to prioritize alignment research and ensure a smooth transition.
Conclusion
The recent departures from OpenAI have sparked significant interest and concern among industry experts and stakeholders. While Schulman’s decision to leave the company is a personal one, it highlights the challenges and complexities of leading AI innovation in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Implications for AI Alignment Research
Schulman’s departure from OpenAI has raised questions about the future of AI alignment research and its continued focus on ensuring that AI systems act as intended. With Schulman’s new role at Anthropic, it will be interesting to see how he contributes to the development of more advanced AI systems.
Open Questions
As OpenAI continues to navigate these leadership changes, several questions remain unanswered:
- Who will replace Schulman in his former roles?
- How will Brockman’s extended leave impact OpenAI’s operations and decision-making processes?
- What implications will Schulman’s departure have on the future of AI alignment research?
Future Directions for OpenAI
While these departures present significant challenges, they also offer opportunities for growth and innovation. With a renewed focus on alignment research, OpenAI can continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in AI development.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2023: Schulman departs from OpenAI to join Anthropic
- 2023: Brockman announces extended leave until the end of the year
- 2022: Peter Deng leaves OpenAI after a year with the company
References
- OpenAI’s Statement on Schulman’s Exit
- The Information: OpenAI Faces Departure of Top Executives
- Anthropic Press Release: John Schulman Joins Anthropic as Chief Scientist
About the Authors
John Schulman is a co-founder of OpenAI and has made significant contributions to AI alignment research. Greg Brockman is also a co-founder of OpenAI, serving as president and chief technology officer.
