Microsoft has announced that co-founder Sam Altman will be joining the company, despite facing severe backlash from employees and senior officials at OpenAI. The board’s decision to dismiss Altman has caused unrest and frustration within the company, with the majority of staff expressing their criticism and displeasure. Over 500 of OpenAI’s 770 employees have voiced their intention to leave if the board does not resign.

Among those expressing their discontent were Ilya Sutskever, the company’s chief scientist, and Mira Murati, a top executive who declined the offer to replace Altman as CEO. The employees are considering a move to Microsoft, which has assured them that there are positions available within a new subsidiary if they decide to leave OpenAI.

Media reports indicate that the board is reconsidering Altman’s dismissal due to pressure from investors and the threat of mass resignations. The new CEO of OpenAI, Emmett Shear, has been tasked with reorganizing leadership teams and addressing key concerns amidst ongoing turmoil.

The decision by Microsoft to hire Altman has raised questions about the future of the alliance between Microsoft and OpenAI. Microsoft CEO Sattya Nadella confirmed Altman’s new role at the company while also expressing commitment to their partnership with OpenAI. However, uncertainty remains in the tech industry regarding what this means for both companies moving forward.

Despite these challenges, there is potential for growth and innovation within both companies as they navigate this uncertain time together. Whether or not Altman stays with OpenAI remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: his departure has brought significant changes to both companies and the industry as a whole.