Timnit Gebru, a leading AI researcher, has shot down the possibility of her joining the OpenAI board, indicating that returning to Google may be more probable.
What Happened: Gebru, who left Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google in 2020, expressed strong antipathy towards the idea of joining OpenAI’s board.
"It’s repulsive to me," Gebru told Wired.
OpenAI’s board, presently composed of former Salesforce Inc. CRM CEO Bret Taylor, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and Quora co-founder Adam D’Angelo, has been criticized for its lack of diversity.
Gebru, a prominent figure in the AI research field, was suggested as a possible new member. However, she rejected the suggestion, hinting at a potential return to Google.
See Also: OpenAI Drama Timeline: All The Twists And Turns, Starring Sam Altman
“I just feel like the person on the board would have a horrible time because they will constantly be fighting an uphill battle,” Gebru said.
Following the controversial exit and return of Sam Altman at the Microsoft Corp.-backed MSFT OpenAI, the company unveiled a new provisional board, with plans to expand it to nine members eventually.
Since she departed from Google, Gebru, now 40, has spearheaded the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute and condemned AI companies for disregarding serious issues spawned by AI technology.
Why It Matters: This development follows the recent return of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI and the introduction of a new board.
This reshuffling amidst a period of high drama and rapid developments at OpenAI, including rumors and allegations of Altman neglecting AI safety.
However, while things have been quiet at OpenAI since the drama settled down, Gebru's criticism could draw attention to the lack of diversity on the company's board.
Image Source – Timnit Gebru/Linkedin
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