At this point, Satya should just reach into Microsoft's "petty cash" account and buy out every last aspect of OpenAI and its convoluted non-profit/for-profit corporate structure. Fire the board and everyone else associated with this coup. Reinstate Sam and Greg and have them lead this new AI division at Microsoft.
Jaime McGeathy
9mo
I think they spent all the petty cash on a game company
Joseph Williams
9mo
Why would Sam do that and trade billions in upside personal net worth for millions?
Microsoft tend to destroy and bury companies that they buy, unless they buy them and leave them to operate as before, such as LinkedIn and GitHub. In this case, I’m not sure that having Microsoft buy OpenAI outright is a good idea. I can see them making the original investment so that they play a part, not not buy outright because the Microsoft machine would probably destroy the innovation that got OpenAI to a good place initially.
Walker Reynolds
9mo
Rob — this post won’t age well. It’s not a coup, it’s damage control. I agree about some members of the board and the odd ball structure — but this isn’t a coup.
Matt Long
9mo
Don't think being a party to the destruction of VC value is in best long-term interests of MSFT. Besides the OpenAI FTEs and the equity holders (MSFT 49%) stand to profit considerably more from an OpenAI IPO.
A benefit from this debacle is that a bunch of us are going to learn a bit more about what happens when non-profits have a for-profit arm, as well as what really happens when boards have no one to answer to.
Rick Bullotta
9mo
Gotta disagree. Strongly. I think some aspects of OpenAI’s original non profit charter need to be preserved. Satya fucked up by not doing adequate due diligence because of FOMO.
Pete Bernard
9mo
$90b is a lot of petty cash, and realistically that would take a year to execute. I am sure there are no shortage of safeguards against a change in leadership for ms, the products are deeply integrated and shipping, etc. MS would be wise to continue to invest to mitigate dependencies.
Research Director @ IDC
9moI called it. Sam and Greg are joining Microsoft