Silicon Valley’s Doubt Over Sam Altman’s NDA Claims

Sam Altman has come under scrutiny as Silicon Valley questions his knowledge of OpenAI's non-disparagement clauses in exit agreements. While Altman claims he was unaware of these clauses, leaked documents and former staff members suggest otherwise.

Voicing Skepticism

Silicon Valley tech enthusiasts are expressing doubts about Altman's transparency regarding the non-disparagement clauses at OpenAI. The recent chaos at the organization, highlighted in a Vox report, revealed that departing employees risk losing vested equity if they refuse to sign these agreements.

Altman's Response

Following the Vox report, Altman took to X to express regret, admitting, "This is on me, and one of the few times I've been genuinely embarrassed running OpenAI; I did not know this was happening, and I should have." However, his apology did not assuage the skepticism within the tech community.

Questioning Altman's Knowledge

The Vox report, citing former OpenAI employees and leaked documents, raised doubts about Altman's claim of being unaware. It revealed that Altman had signed incorporation documents for the holding company managing OpenAI's equity, suggesting a level of involvement.

Industry Reactions

Industry experts, including Naveen Rao and Neel Nanda, criticized OpenAI's actions, labeling them as public deception and unacceptable behavior. Meta researcher Soumith Chintala commended Vox's report for exposing the truth behind the exit agreements.

Former Employee Testimony

Former OpenAI employee Jacob Hilton shared his experience, confirming that he signed a non-disparagement agreement to retain his vested equity. He highlighted the clarity of the agreement and questioned why anyone would sign it if it had no impact on their equity.

OpenAI's response to the allegations remains pending, as Business Insider's request for comment went unanswered outside regular working hours.

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By: jmann@insider.com (Jyoti Mann)
Title: Silicon Valley’s Doubt Over Sam Altman’s NDA Claims
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/openai-sam-altman-didnt-know-nda-agreement-silicon-valley-skeptical-2024-5
Published Date: Mon, 27 May 2024 13:46:52 +0000