Ilya Sutskever, co-founder and chief scientist of OpenAI, is leaving.
He will be replaced by former director of research Jakub Pachocki.
Sutskever announced his departure from the San Francisco-based creator of ChatGPT in a posting on social network X.
“After almost a decade, I have made the decision to leave OpenAI,” Sutskever wrote, adding, “I’m confident that OpenAI will build AGI that is both safe and beneficial” under the leadership of CEO and cofounder Sam Altman, cofounder Greg Brockman, and chief technology officer Mira Murati.
Sutskever hasn’t always been so confident of that. Barely six months ago, Sutskever was one of the OpenAI board members who in November 2023 pushed Altman out over concerns about his honesty in communications with the board. Altman immediately landed a post at Microsoft, and OpenAI employees rose up en masse against Sutskever and the other board members, threatening to quit go work for Microsoft unless the board resigned.
A few days later, Altman was back, putting Sutskever — no longer on the board — in an awkward position.
Despite this conflict, OpenAI CEO Altman expressed sorrow at Sutskever’s departure in an official blog post.
“Ilya and OpenAI are going to part ways. This is very sad to me,” Altman wrote in the blog post. “Ilya is easily one of the greatest minds of our generation, a guiding light of our field, and a dear friend. His brilliance and vision are well known; his warmth and compassion are less well known but no less important. OpenAI would not be what it is without him.”
Sutskever will be replaced as chief scientist by Jakub Pachocki, Altman said in the same blog post.
“Jakub is also easily one of the greatest minds of our generation; I am thrilled he is taking the baton here. He has run many of our most important projects, and I am very confident he will lead us to make rapid and safe progress towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone,” Altman wrote.
Uncertain future for OpenAI customers
Many companies have integrated OpenAI’s AI solutions into their core IT and business operations, relying on its technological prowess and ability to stay ahead of the curve. Sutskever’s vision and leadership was central to the development of these technologies. His exit casts a shadow over the future, and could raise concerns among OpenAI customers relying on the company’s AI products and solutions.
“While OpenAI assures continuity with the appointment of Jakub Pachocki, it’s natural for customers to feel apprehensive,” said Sanjeev Bindlish, sales head at manpower and technology consulting firm Advaita Bedanta Consultants.
The future is brighter for Sutskever, however. In his message announcing his departure, he expressed enthusiasm for his next venture. “I am excited for what comes next — a project that is very personally meaningful to me about which I will share details in due time,” he wrote.
