OpenAI saga raises need for improved communication and disclosures, say experts

This has also cast a spotlight on the dynamics of founder power, the role of investors, and the significance of employees as equal stakeholders in the quest to build businesses of the future.

Dev Khare, Partner at Lightspeed, emphasised the key lessons emerging from this episode, citing the need for discussions on balancing innovation and safety in the AI sector

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Khare said, “The main lessons that we are drawing from this is—there are discussions to be had about innovation in the AI world versus safety. I think there are discussions to be had on corporate governance and structures, government regulation, and finally, the role of open-source models versus proprietary models. I think these are four areas that sort of got highlighted in these last few days.”

Sanjay Nath, co-founder of Blume Ventures, pointed out that the recent situation at OpenAI highlighted the relationship between the board, founders, and tech talent.

Nath said, “If you look at this dynamic between, let us say, the board and founders and the tech talent, it's only come to the fore more because it is Sam. The fact that the stakes are so high and the employees were, let us say, loyal to Sam in this case was perhaps not seen in this chess move. So I think, like Dev rightly said, the lesson to draw is that when you make these decisions, it's complex with many moving parts; there are conflicts and disclosures, so all this has to come to the fore and clear communication is needed. It's a very important dynamic, but this will bring to the fore, even more importantly, the communication and disclosures that will be wanted in many future cases.”