In a surprising turn of events, the board of the company behind ChatGPT ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday, citing a lack of consistent candor in his communications. This move sent shock waves across the tech industry.

OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati will step in as interim CEO, while a formal search is conducted for a permanent replacement.

Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president and co-founder, resigned from the company following the management shuffle. The abrupt departures shocked employees, Altman, and Brockman, who learned of the board's decision moments before the public announcement.

The four-person board now comprises three independent directors without equity in OpenAI and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever. Altman, a key figure in the company's success, expressed gratitude for his time at OpenAI but did not elaborate on the circumstances.

Mira Murati, who joined OpenAI in 2018 and played a role in product launches, including ChatGPT, reassured employees at an emergency meeting that the partnership with Microsoft remains stable. Microsoft echoed this sentiment, expressing commitment to OpenAI and the continuation of their long-term agreement.

This shakeup follows previous changes at OpenAI, including Elon Musk's stint as co-chair and the departure of executives in 2020. Industry reactions varied, with well-wishers praising Altman's contributions, while some analysts speculated on Microsoft exerting more influence.

Concerns arose about OpenAI's fundraising prospects in the absence of Altman, known for successful negotiations with Microsoft. Analysts, however, expressed confidence in the resilience of generative AI's popularity and OpenAI's position, emphasizing the innovation's significance beyond individual leaders.

Altman, seemingly unconcerned at public events just a day prior, participated in discussions on AI commitment and vision. The full impact of these changes on OpenAI's trajectory remains uncertain, but stakeholders anticipate continued leadership changes and developments in the evolving landscape of generative AI.