Former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has joined Microsoft, just days after being ousted by OpenAI’s board. This move has raised several questions about its implications for investors, the future of AI technology, OpenAI, and Microsoft. Experts in the industry have weighed in on these concerns.
1. Outlook for Microsoft: Seana Smith from Yahoo Finance believes that Microsoft’s ability to attract Altman is a significant victory for the company. She sees it as a testament to the persuasive skills of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
2. Microsoft’s AI technology: Rishi Jaluria, a software equity analyst at RBC Capital Markets, considers Altman’s hire as a major coup for Microsoft. He expects that Microsoft’s development of its own AI technology, which may compete with OpenAI, will accelerate with Altman on board.
3. Microsoft’s ‘carte blanche’ to IP: Vasant Dhar, a professor at NYU, views Altman’s move to Microsoft as granting the company unrestricted access to OpenAI’s intellectual property. Dhar predicts that Altman, OpenAI President Greg Brockman, and other employees will follow, leading to a transfer of IP to Microsoft.
4. Altman’s leadership style: Fred Havemeyer, a lead equity analyst at Macquarie, emphasizes the importance of Altman’s team-building skills. He believes that Altman’s ability to inspire loyalty among his teams at OpenAI will be instrumental in producing top-notch technology.
In summary, Altman’s move to Microsoft is seen as a significant win for the company. It is expected to accelerate Microsoft’s AI development, grant them access to OpenAI’s IP, and benefit from Altman’s leadership qualities.
