OpenAI Board Discussed Merging with Anthropic During 2023 Crisis

The Revelation

During the ongoing Musk vs. OpenAI trial, former OpenAI board member Helen Toner testified that the board discussed merging with Anthropic during the November 2023 event known as "the Blip" when Sam Altman was briefly fired.

What Happened

According to Toner testimony, the board considered multiple options during the crisis, including bringing in Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei as CEO of OpenAI. "I thought it was an option worth considering among our set of difficult options," Toner said.

Why This Matters

The revelation is significant because Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI employees who left citing concerns about the company direction. A merger between the two would have created the most powerful AI company in history, far ahead of any competitor.

The Irony

The fact that OpenAI board considered bringing in the leader of its biggest competitor while firing its own CEO adds another layer of complexity to the already messy governance situation. It also raises questions about whether the board had a coherent strategy for managing the company.

Market Implications

If such a merger had happened, the competitive landscape of AI would be dramatically different. Google, Microsoft, and Meta would all face a combined entity with unprecedented capabilities. The fact that it did not happen means the competitive race continues with multiple strong players.

For businesses building on AI APIs, this reinforces the importance of multi-provider access. The AI landscape can change rapidly, and having options ensures you can adapt to whatever the future holds.