Daisy Watts 
Dec 31, 2023
OpenAI's staggering financial performance hit a new high in 2023, boasting a remarkable annualised income of $1.6 billion compared to $1.3 billion just in October, as reported by The Information.
This monumental success is attributed predominantly to ChatGPT, OpenAI's widely embraced AI chatbot empowered by an in-house large language model.
However, this triumph arrives amid a tumultuous phase for the AI research firm, marked by the abrupt dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of CEO and co-founder, Sam Altman.
The circumstances surrounding Altman's removal remain shrouded in mystery, with the OpenAI board swiftly removing him in November, only to confront strong resistance from the company's workforce. Speculations abound regarding the enigmatic "Project Q*", and although Altman was rapidly reinstated, uncertainties loom regarding the precise reasons behind his dismissal. The board vaguely accused Altman of lacking transparency in his communications regarding ongoing projects.
Altman recently shed light on his firing and return in a candid podcast interview with late-night host Trevor Noah.
In the revealing conversation, Altman recounted the jolting moment when he received the startling call about his termination while attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix in a Las Vegas hotel room on November 17. He described the overwhelming feelings of confusion and disorientation, with his phone inundated by a flurry of messages and calls, including inquiries from Microsoft.
Acknowledging the toll the ordeal took on him, Altman expressed a resilient outlook, maintaining an optimistic attitude towards bouncing back.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is positioned for a colossal leap, eyeing a potential valuation exceeding $100 billion in a new funding round, potentially securing its spot as the second-most valuable startup in the US, trailing only Elon Musk's SpaceX. Talks for this valuation come on the heels of a recent offer by Thrive Capital, valuing OpenAI at a striking $86 billion.
