Altman admits he nearly left OpenAI for Microsoft after ouster at trial

In a dramatic day of testimony at the trial that will determine OpenAI's future, Sam Altman revealed he nearly walked away from the company forever after being temporarily ousted as CEO in 2023. Altman said he was 'extremely angry' and 'felt extremely misled,' seriously considering Microsoft's offer to spearhead a pure AGI research wing where he could 'make a ton of money.' The admission sounded strikingly similar to Elon Musk's own threats to leave OpenAI when he wasn't made CEO, highlighting that both billionaires share reactive instincts when losing control.

Altman's testimony came as part of Musk's lawsuit alleging that OpenAI abandoned its nonprofit mission to enrich its leaders, particularly Altman. The CEO tried to distance himself from Musk by saying he returned to OpenAI because he 'cared about the mission and the people,' despite the tempting Microsoft offer. However, his candid admission may undercut that narrative, instead reinforcing the public perception that the trial is less about AI ethics and more about a personal feud between two powerful men who both want to be seen as AI's moral compass while also benefiting from its advances. Altman's legal team also highlighted contradictions in Musk's position, noting his for-profit xAI and poaching of OpenAI talent.