Sam Altman, born April 22, 1985, is an American entrepreneur and investor who has served as the CEO of OpenAI since 2019. Prior to leading OpenAI, he was the president of Y Combinator, a prominent startup accelerator. Altman is a co-founder of OpenAI and has played a pivotal role in its growth and direction, steering the organization through its transition from a nonprofit research lab to a capped-profit commercial entity focused on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). Altman’s leadership has been marked by significant milestones in AI development, including the launch and commercial success of ChatGPT, which has become a flagship product for OpenAI. He has also been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships, notably with Microsoft, which has greatly expanded OpenAI’s reach and resources. In late 2023, Altman was briefly removed as CEO by OpenAI’s board over concerns about communication but was reinstated within days following strong employee support and negotiations that led to a restructured board. This episode highlighted his central role and the confidence the staff and partners place in his vision. As of 2025, Altman continues to emphasize OpenAI’s interest in global collaboration, including outreach to China, despite regulatory challenges. He remains a key figure in advancing AI technology while navigating ethical, safety, and governance issues associated with powerful AI systems. Besides his executive role, Altman is known for his forward-looking approach to AI’s societal impact, openly discussing future scenarios including his own career path should AI roles evolve. His tenure at OpenAI cements him as one of the most influential leaders in the contemporary AI landscape.
#windsurf #google #tech #partnerships #acquisition
Windsurf's CEO's move to Google has sparked speculation about the company's future plans and strategies. Will they remain independent or become more closely tied to Google?