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- 🚀 Binance CEO's Historic Exit
🚀 Binance CEO's Historic Exit
PLUS: Altman's potential comeback, NVIDIA and Alphabet collaboration
Dear founder, here’s your 3-minute recap (without the fluff):
Changpeng Zhao, Binance's CEO, steps down after a hefty $4.3 billion legal settlement over money laundering charges.
Sam Altman kicked from OpenAI. Then returns… What’s going on?
NVIDIA teams up with Alphabet's SandboxAQ for breakthroughs in drug development and clean energy using AI and quantum tech.
New tools, funding updates & job postings
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đź“š Resources
STORY: AI tool that makes $150k MRR. How? (link)
The biggest mistakes of having started this media company (from workweek) (link)
How to keep customers #1 (link)
Poll results: Will custom GPTs become enterprise IP? (link)
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🗞️ News
Binance Founder and CEO Pleads Guilty, Steps Down from Company
Changpeng Zhao, founder-CEO of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money laundering laws. In a $4.3 billion settlement deal, including a personal payout of $50 million, Zhao steps down from his role, marking one of the largest corporate penalties in U.S. history. The settlement allows Zhao to retain his stake in Binance, preserving his wealth. Currently, Zhao is ranked 68th richest in the world with a wealth of $23.5 billion.
The Altman Saga (OpenAI)
Sam Altman's Dismissal: Sam Altman, the co-founder of OpenAI, was abruptly fired from his CEO position, leading to the resignation of co-founder Greg Brockman and three senior researchers. This upheaval at OpenAI, the force behind AI innovations like ChatGPT and DALL-E 3, sent shockwaves through the tech industry​​.
Return to Leadership: After a period of intense negotiations and internal turmoil, Altman and OpenAI reached an agreement for his return as CEO. This decision led to a reformation of the OpenAI board, including new members such as Bret Taylor and Larry Summers​​.
Internal and External Reactions: The firing initially sparked widespread discontent within OpenAI, with nearly 500 employees threatening to quit. Investors also pressured for Altman's return, emphasizing his critical role in the company's success and future direction​​​​.
Brief Stint at Microsoft: In a surprising twist, Altman briefly joined Microsoft to lead a new AI research team, a move that was soon overshadowed by his return to OpenAI​​.
Governance and Communication Breakdown: The firing was attributed to a breakdown in communication between Altman and the board, rather than any financial or operational misconduct. This highlights the importance of clear governance and transparent communication in high-stakes tech companies​​.
NVIDIA and Alphabet's SandboxAQ Collaboration
In a groundbreaking collaboration, NVIDIA partners with Alphabet's SandboxAQ to revolutionize drug development, battery technology, and sustainable energy through advanced chemical forecasting. Leveraging NVIDIA's quantum platforms and SandboxAQ's expertise in AI and quantum mechanics, the partnership explores tensor networks, propelling unprecedented innovation in materials and chemicals.
đź’° FundingAI21 raises $208M in funding to increase its ability to provide AI technology to companies globally (link) Macquarie invests $190M in green aviation fuel supplier SkyNRG (link) | đź’Ľ Job BoardSenior Product Manager, Siri and AI/ML at Apple (US) Senior Software Engineer at Airbnb (US) |
That’s it for now!
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