Several high-level resignations have occurred at OpenAI, with key figures such as Mira and the head of research stepping down amid a significant fundraising effort. OpenAI, which was valued at $14 billion in 2021, is now potentially raising capital at a $150 billion valuation. The departing employees are leaving with substantial equity, ranging from $10 million to $100 million, and are likely refraining from making negative public comments to retain their equity. The timing of their departures is seen as a powerful statement, given the ongoing fundraising efforts. The resignations are not driven by altruism but by the vested interests of the employees, who are expected to be unfathomably wealthy. The high-level individuals leaving are anticipated to be comfortable with $1 billion founding valuations for future ventures.
I hope the high level folks leaving OpenAI are going to be ok with their $1B founding valuations for literally whatever they do next.
More thoughts on OpenAI: it is a *statement* for Mira and the head of research to resign during a fundraise. They are likely prohibited from saying anything negative if they want to keep their equity, so the timing of their departure is the most powerful statement they can make.
i wonder if all the OpenAI people leaving on principle are leaving the equity on the table nah, you know they keeping it (despite ostensibly disagreeing with direction shift) which is why you don’t but see any of them making critical public comments on the way out