The review’s findings rejected the idea that any kind of ai safety concern necessitated Mr Altman’s replacement. In fact, WilmerHale found that “the prior board’s decision did not arise out of concerns regarding product safety or security, the pace of development, OpenAI’s finances, or its statements to investors, customers, or business partners.”
Note that Toner did not make claims regarding product safety, security, the pace of development, OAI’s finances, or statements to investors (the board is not investors), customers, or business partners (the board are not business partners). She said he was not honest to the board.
OpenAI’s March 2024 summary of the WilmerHale report included:
The firm conducted dozens of interviews with members of OpenAI’s prior Board, OpenAI executives, advisors to the prior Board, and other pertinent witnesses; reviewed more than 30,000 documents; and evaluated various corporate actions. Based on the record developed by WilmerHale and following the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board expressed its full confidence in Mr. Sam Altman and Mr. Greg Brockman’s ongoing leadership of OpenAI.
[...]
WilmerHale found that the prior Board acted within its broad discretion to terminate Mr. Altman, but also found that his conduct did not mandate removal.
I’d guess that telling lies to the board would mandate removal. If that’s right, then the summary suggests that they didn’t find evidence of this.
It’s also notable that Toner and McCauley have not provided public evidence of “outright lies” to the board. We also know that whatever evidence they shared in private during that critical weekend did not convince key stakeholders that Sam should go.
Some board members swapped notes on their individual discussions with Altman. The group concluded that in one discussion with a board member, Altman left a misleading perception that another member thought Toner should leave, the people said.
Note that Toner did not make claims regarding product safety, security, the pace of development, OAI’s finances, or statements to investors (the board is not investors), customers, or business partners (the board are not business partners). She said he was not honest to the board.
I’m not sure what to make of this omission.
OpenAI’s March 2024 summary of the WilmerHale report included:
I’d guess that telling lies to the board would mandate removal. If that’s right, then the summary suggests that they didn’t find evidence of this.
It’s also notable that Toner and McCauley have not provided public evidence of “outright lies” to the board. We also know that whatever evidence they shared in private during that critical weekend did not convince key stakeholders that Sam should go.
The WSJ reported:
I really wish they’d publish these notes.