Main content

Artificial Implosion

After OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was deposed – then reinstated – by the company’s board in 106 hours of chaos, tech journalist Chris Stokel-Walker explores the incident’s wider impact.

Until 17 November, Sam Altman was riding high. The CEO of OpenAI was bringing artificial intelligence to the world. Then he wasn’t.

Deposed in a board coup, Altman’s firing kickstarted 106 hours of chaos at the company spearheading the AI revolution.

Journalist and author Chris Stokel-Walker explores the possible reasons why Altman was fired, how the incident reflects a broader deep-seated unease at AI’s transformative effects on society, and what it means now Altman has returned more powerful than ever before.

Presented by Chris Stokel-Walker
Produced by James Tindale

A Whistledown production for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 21 Dec 2023 23:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 11 Dec 2023 11:30
  • Thu 21 Dec 2023 23:00