While the OpenAI fiasco came to an end (so, we believe) before Thanksgiving, people were quick to compare it to the Game of Thrones series with Sam Altman being Jon Snow. However, the real Altman was not a Snow who “knew nothing,” but was more like the courageous, skilled, intelligent archer Arjun from the epic Hindu mythology, Mahabharat. Interestingly, there are a number of people from the OpenAI drama that align with the multifaceted and complex characters from the Sanskrit epic.
In Mahabharat, when Pandavas fought the Kauravas (both being set of cousins- 5 against 100) in a huge war, there were a number of alliances and powerful characters that took sides. Similarly, OpenAI saw a similar plot (minus the battle and deaths) with allies, advisors and foes coming together. So, who plays who in the Mahabharat of OpenAI?
Arjun
Arjun is one of the central characters who led the Kurukshetra war from the Pandavas’ end, and can be depicted by none other than Sam Altman. Like Arjun, Altman’s intelligence and high capabilities makes him a natural leader, whose importance is incomparable. Similar to the epic, he has even undergone moments of moral dilemma, probably with AI safety, rallying for regulation of powerful models.
Krishna
The character that is considered the driver of the war and a literal driver to Arjuna’s chariot during the war, Lord Krishna is believed to be the vital force for all that ensued. While we may not be able to conclude that Microsoft Chief Satya Nadella had any part to play that led to the OpenAI fiasco, however, like Krishna, he stood beside Altman as his biggest supporter and best friend. Nadella, who was diplomatic when he mentioned that he would support Altman regardless of whether he stayed at Microsoft or OpenAI, is one of the striking personalities reminiscent of Krishna. He believes that outcomes are driven by people’s actions, and he sees himself as an enabler.
Yudhishthir
Righteousness, wisdom and loyalty being some of the most important traits of Arjuna’s older brother Yudhishthir, is reflective of co-founder Greg Brockman’s actions. After Altman’s ousting, and Brockman being removed from the board, like a true brother, he decided to quit the company and stand by Altman’s side. Like a just ruler who wanted to give clarity to the people, he was the only one who tweeted, explaining about the firing situation that unfolded at OpenAI’s board. After he was back, he even shared a picture with the whole OpenAI staff, showcasing his solidarity and support to his people.
Karna
The most debated character in Mahabharat was Karna. A virtuous man who had his reasons to take sides with Kauravas, Karna is a complex character who had a sad fate: was even framed as the bad guy. Ilya Sutskever was part of the 4-member board that united to oust Altman, but he had his reasons, which till date is not clarified. Misunderstood but powerful, Sutskever seems to tread Karna’s path.
Kunti
Displaying resilience, strength, calmness at the time of any adversity, Kunti has been a central character to bring unity. She has always taken the side of her Pandava children and has stood by their side adapting to any situation. However, being Karna’s birth mother too, she was torn to see him side with Kauravas, and always wished that all her children were united. When the ousting happened, CTO Mira Murati was made the interim CEO, however her support for Altman and Brockman did not fade.
Bheem, Nakul, Sahadev
Like the three Pandava brothers who stood by their brothers’ side, key researchers at OpenAI, Aleksander Madry, Jakub Pachocki, and Szymon Sidor quit the company shortly after Altman and Brockman’s exit. They decided to follow their brothers to pursue their next goal.
Shakuni and Duryodhan
Oldest brother and Kaurava leader Duryodhan was influenced by his maternal uncle Shakuni to take the path of wrongdoings and foster hatred towards his cousins. Though not comparable to the volumes of the tactics Duryodhan and Shakuni pulled that led to the war, the context of the OpenAI drama, Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner could fit these roles. They were crucial members that led to the ousting and were ultimately thrown out of board when Altman returned – similar to the vanquishing of Shakuni and Duryodhan at the end of the war.
Yuyutsu
Though on Kauravas’s side, Yuyutsu was the only brother of Kaurava who sided with the Pandavas. Adam D’Angelo who was part of the old board that ousted Altman, is also the only member who is part of the newly appointed OpenAI board. Thus, indicating his trusted allegiance to Altman and team.
Bhishma
As the wise, able, loyal and strong central character of Mahabharat, the Bhishma of OpenAI fiasco could probably be the CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky. Akin to Bhishma with his profound quotes, after the OpenAI fiasco ended, Chesky said that ‘you learn a lot about people in a crisis,’ possibly referring to the behaviour of different stakeholders during the drama. Though not directly involved in the debacle, his unwavering support to his long-time friend Altman was evident. He even sided with Altman during the discussions that led to reinstating Altman as CEO.
Dhritarashtra
The blind king and father of Kauravas, Dhritarashtra was unable to rule the kingdom. Like the titular position, Emmet Shear’s presence in OpenAI can be equated to Dhritarashtra’s. The CEO who lasted for only 72 hours had to resign his position when Altman was reinstated. In Mahabharat, after the war ended, Dhritarashtra had to give up his position too.
Eklavya
Ekalavya, an aspiring archer who used to self-train by watching Dronacharya teach his students (Kauravas and Pandavas), was asked to cut off his thumb as an offering, so as to prevent him from surpassing the royal sons’ capabilities. Though Elon Musk, a brilliant entrepreneur and visionary, did not have to cut any part of his body, his bitterness after leaving OpenAI in 2018 has been evident over the last year, especially with the meteoric rise the company witnessed with ChatGPT.
Though he voluntarily left OpenAI in 2018, citing a conflict of interest with his company Tesla, it was recently reported that Musk left, owing to a failed attempt of taking over OpenAI. He did not miss a chance to take a dig at OpenAI during the Altman fiasco.
Drupad
Drupad, the king of Panchala and father of Draupadi, who belonged to a royal lineage, fought alongside the Pandavas during the war. He was believed to be a calculative king who built strategic alliances that served both parties’ interests. Similarly, VC and businessman, Vinod Khosla, one of the first investors in OpenAI’s for-profit subsidiary, had a lot at stake during Altman’s ousting. He ensured that he supported Altman and praised his capabilities. Khosla also dissed Emmett on X.
Gandhari
The capable queen who chose to be blind in solidarity to her husband Dhritrarashtra, ended up siding with the wrong, owing to her ‘blind love’ for her Kaurava children. While Ashneer Grover had no part to play in Altman’s ousting, his blindness to the whole OpenAI situation and incorrectly comparing it to his ousting from his company, and even giving two cents to Altman on how the company will go behind his shares (which Altman doesn’t have), would make him fit the bill of the blind queen. He later deleted his tweets, but the damage was done.
In this article, the comparison between OpenAI and Mahabharat characters aim for thematic exploration rather than exact replication.
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