OpenAI board was warned of Al discovery ahead of CEO's ouster

Several staff researchers wrote a letter flagging algorithm’s possible threat to humanity

Ahead of OpenAl chief executive Sam Altman's four days in exile, several staff researchers wrote a letter to the board of directors warning of a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) discovery that they said could threaten humanity, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The previously unreported letter and AI algorithm were key developments before the board's ouster of Mr Altman, the poster child of generative AI, the two sources said.

Prior to his triumphant return late on Nov 21, more than 700 employees had threatened to quit and join backer Microsoft in solidarity with their fired leader.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on behalf of the company, cited the letter as one factor among a longer list of grievances by the board leading to Mr Altman's firing, among which were concerns over commercialising advances before understanding the consequences.

Reuters was unable to review a copy of the letter. The researchers who wrote the letter did not respond to requests for comment.