‘Directionally Very Bad’: New Texts Reveal OpenAI Chaos Behind Sam Altman’s Firing

Newly revealed text messages between Sam Altman and former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati have shed fresh light on the dramatic week in 2023 when Altman was abruptly fired from the company he co-founded — only to return days later.

The messages surfaced during the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI over the company’s transition from a non-profit-focused AI lab into a commercial powerhouse.

Musk, one of OpenAI’s original co-founders, has sued the company, accusing it of abandoning its founding mission.

Why Sam Altman Was Fired

On November 17, 2023, OpenAI’s board announced Altman’s removal, claiming he had not been “consistently candid” in communications with directors.

The company said the board had lost confidence in his ability to lead.

Murati was immediately appointed interim CEO, triggering chaos inside the company and confusion among employees and investors.

Newly disclosed messages show Altman scrambling to understand whether he had any path back to OpenAI.

In one exchange, Altman asked Murati: “Can you indicate directionally good or bad? Satya and others anxious.”

Murati replied bluntly: “Directionally very bad. Sam this is very bad.”

Murati Said Altman Created ‘Chaos’

During testimony, Murati said her concerns about Altman were largely tied to his management style.

She described him as someone who sometimes told “different things to different people,” creating confusion and “chaos” within OpenAI.

Despite those concerns, Murati later backed Altman’s return, believing the company itself could collapse if the crisis continued.

Texts also revealed Altman asking what he could do to repair the situation, even offering to walk away entirely if it would help OpenAI survive.

Murati told him the board had effectively decided he could no longer remain CEO.

‘Rando Twitch Guy’

As the crisis unfolded, the board quietly searched for a replacement.

When Altman asked who they planned to appoint, Murati replied with a now-viral line: “New guy is rando twitch guy,” referring to former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear.

Shear was later formally named interim CEO before Altman’s return dramatically reversed events.

Microsoft And Satya Nadella’s Intervention

The messages also highlighted the crucial role played by Satya Nadella.

Microsoft, OpenAI’s biggest investor, became deeply involved as the company spiralled into crisis.

Murati repeatedly updated Altman about Nadella’s efforts to stabilise the situation, writing at one stage: “Satya is being diplomatic.”

Nadella later escalated pressure on OpenAI’s board by announcing that Altman and former OpenAI president Greg Brockman would join Microsoft to lead a new AI research team.

The move triggered a rebellion inside OpenAI, with hundreds of employees threatening to resign and follow Altman to Microsoft.

Facing mounting pressure, OpenAI’s board entered negotiations and within days Altman returned as CEO, Murati resumed her CTO role, and several board members involved in the firing stepped down.

The dramatic episode remains one of the most turbulent moments in the short but explosive history of the AI industry.