OpenAI finds itself at a crossroads as employees contemplate a walkout in response to the abrupt removal of CEO Sam Altman. The aftermath is marked by a groundswell of discontent, with major tech figures like Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff enticing OpenAI talent with lucrative offers. Amid this upheaval, the company's standout achievements, such as the widely lauded "ChatGPT" release and a reported valuation of $86 billion, are overshadowed by internal strife.

As the specter of a walkout looms, involving approximately 700 disgruntled employees, potential scenarios range from mass recruitment by industry giants to intense discussions between OpenAI's board, its newly-appointed CEO Emmett Shear, and stakeholders. The outcome is uncertain, and questions linger about the company's ability to retain its core team, navigate leadership changes, and chart a viable course forward amidst these challenges.