Brandnames in Play: Both OpenAI's and Possibly Yours If You Are Doing Business with It

 

"Sam Altman's time as the golden child of tech might be coming to an end"

- Business Insider, May 24, 2024

On November 30th, 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT we played with it and it was a WOW. What would have taken us hours in research or copywriting, for example, the ChatGPT prompt spit out instantly. The better we became at configuring the prompts the more the WOW ballooned. 

Tech entrepreneur behind OpenAI Sam Altman became the Next Steve Jobs in terms of being hailed as unleashing a genuine game-changer. Then concerns came about the consequences of such a powerful technology. Will humanity be wiped out? Were there enough guardrails?

Less than one year later - November 17, 2023 - that kind of thinking apparently triggered the ouster of Altman by the board. But he got right back in. Many in the world of tech fundraising exhaled. Back then Altman was OpenAI. So what if he was alleged to be "power-hungry."

Recently, regarding OpenAI, there have been harsh controversy, ham-handed decision-making and, most to the point, the exit of the "safety partrol" who wanted to ensure that rapidly putting shiny new products out didn't take precedence over reviewing their impacts. 

Constituencies ranging from Congress to the tech world itself have developed a negative perception of the role of Altman in OpenAI. 

Also, what about the implications of doing business with OpenAI. News Corp has partnered with it. 

In a seminal Paul, Weiss AI podcast episode the law-firm partner co-hosts focus on "third party risk." That can be associated with licensing an AI tool. And it could include what regulations require or would require, legalities (especially your liability) and the perceptual (your brand). Altman's current troubles can increase that risk. There are other generative AI vendors out there.  

Hasn't it become acceptable to consider that enterprise without Altman? Although Altman has reconfigured the board since his ouster, a second coup could be possible - and maybe probable. 

In coaching, I warn entrepreneurs about weak links in the organization. The business is too small to be able to absorb what could be gumming up the works. 

In most cases you have only one shot in communications. Jane Genova is a communications coach and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)


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