OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman presents during the OpenAI DevDay event on November 6, 2023, in San Francisco.
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In contrast to the previous year, OpenAI’s DevDay 2024 event is not being broadcast live, and more importantly, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, did not give a keynote speech. Instead, the programming for the event has been orchestrated by the OpenAI product team, concentrating on breakout sessions, community highlights, and technology presentations. This signifies a notable departure from last year, where Altman took the spotlight to deliver a keynote reminiscent of Steve Jobs.
### Reflecting on: DevDay 2023
On November 6, 2023, at OpenAI’s first DevDay, Sam Altman presented a much-anticipated keynote address to a live audience of developers, OpenAI staff, and reporters. The event proved to be a significant success, highlighted by a surprise visit from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who emphasized the strengthening partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI. The keynote also unveiled the GPT Store, a marketplace for personalized AI assistants, viewed as a major advancement in OpenAI’s journey.
However, just eleven days later, OpenAI’s board of directors made the startling choice to dismiss Altman, citing issues with his communication approach and leadership trajectory. This action instigated a week of dramatic upheaval, both inside the organization and across the wider tech landscape. Ultimately, Altman regained his CEO position following a struggle for power, accompanied by a newly appointed board of directors.
### The Repercussions and Theories
Altman’s dismissal and subsequent return raised numerous inquiries regarding the internal relationships at OpenAI. Some insiders, such as journalist Kara Swisher, speculated that Altman’s keynote at DevDay 2023 and the launch of the GPT Store may have played a role in the board’s decision to remove him. The board was reportedly anxious about the organization’s shift towards a more consumer-focused strategy, which some认为
