OpenAI Fires Worldcoin Billionaire Sam Altman

Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WorldCoin, was fired on Friday, November 17 by OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research company behind the groundbreaking ChatGPT platform.

In a blog post, OpenAI made public Altman's departure, revealing that the board’s decision followed a “deliberative review process” due to Altman’s lack of candour in communications. 

"Mr. Altman’s departure follows a deliberative review process by the board, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities. The board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI," the company stated in part.

President William Ruto, Worldcoin CEO Sam Altman and US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman on September 15, 2023. /PCS

Mira Murati, the Chief Technology Officer, took the reins as interim CEO while the search for a permanent successor began.

OpenAI hailed Murati as a member of OpenAI's leadership team for five years, having played a critical role in the company's evolution into a global Artificial Intelligence (AI) leader.

"She brings a unique skill set, and understanding of the company’s values, operations, and business, and already leads the company’s research, product, and safety functions.

"Given her long tenure and close engagement with all aspects of the company, including her experience in AI governance and policy, the board believes she is uniquely qualified for the role and anticipates a seamless transition while it conducts a formal search for a permanent CEO," the company added.

Altman, who helped launch the ChatGPT firm, reacted to his departure by stating "It was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit. Most of all I loved working with such talented people. Will have more to say about what's next later."

The news sent shockwaves throughout the technology sector and came two months after Altman met President William Ruto during his investment tour of the United States.

A clip shared by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa showed that the Kenyan President met Altman in San Francisco, California on Friday, September 15, during the Kenya-US Business Roadshow organised by the U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa initiative and the U.S. Embassy in Kenya.

This was likely their first face-to-face meeting after the Worldcoin activities made news headlines in Kenya, leading to the suspension of its operation in the country. 

Altman's co-founder, Alex Blania, who appeared before the National Assembly Ad Hoc Committee investigating the operations of the company in Kenya on Wednesday, September 6, revealed that the company had invested more than Ksh700 million in Kenya at the time, with the funds utilised on blockchain and cryptocurrency education as well as ICT awareness.

Blania attributed the achievement of this to third-party agents and partners, adding that they had engagements with Strathmore University, the Blockchain Association of Kenya, the American Chamber of Commerce in the country, the Africa Blockchain Centre and New Hope Mukuru among others.