During the ongoing Musk v. Altman court case, former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati provided crucial testimony regarding her interactions with CEO Sam Altman. She stated that Altman misrepresented safety practices, asserting that he did not tell the truth to her, which hindered her ability to perform her job effectively. This allegation, previously highlighted in a New Yorker article, has now been formally presented in court.
Murati's deposition revealed tensions between her and Altman, particularly when she lost his trust. Reports indicate that she communicated concerns about his management to both Altman and the board, which contributed to his initial termination in 2023. Murati described the atmosphere at OpenAI as one of "catastrophic risk," expressing her worries over the company potentially "blowing up." She noted a significant discrepancy between Altman's statements and those of Jason Kwon, OpenAI's legal head at the time.
Following a brief period as interim CEO after Altman's firing, Murati's tenure lasted only days before Emmett Shear briefly took over, leading to Altman's reinstatement. Murati's concerns and memos to the board preceded these rapid leadership changes.