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Former OpenAI boss Sam Altman pictured at firm’s HQ amid reports of return

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OpenAI's bot ChatGPT is used by millions around the world (pic BBC)

The ex-boss of leading artificial intelligence firm OpenAI has posted a photo of himself at its HQ, following reports he is set to return after being sacked on Friday.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sam Altman is pictured holding a guest ID pass and comments: “First and last time i ever wear one of these”.

The 38-year-old helped launch the firm which created the popular ChatGPT bot.

On Friday the board dismissed Mr Altman saying it had lost confidence in him.

Reports this weekend, however, have suggested investors and employees are pushing for Mr Altman to be reinstated.

According to tech news site The Information, Mr Altman and Greg Brockman – another co-founder who quit on Friday as the company’s president – were invited to the firm’s San Francisco headquarters for talks on Sunday.

The BBC has contacted OpenAI for comment.

Mr Altman is seen as one of the most influential figures in the fast-growing generative AI space and his sacking sent shock waves across the industry.

In a letter on Friday, the company’s board accused him of not being “consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities”.

The board did not specify what he is alleged to have not been candid about.

However, whatever the board was so alarmed about on Friday has perhaps been overtaken by the global reaction to its decision. There may also have been fears of Mr Altman setting up a rival company and taking OpenAI’s top talent with him.

Reports this weekend suggested his sacking had angered current and former employees who were worried it might affect an upcoming $86bn (£69bn; €79bn) share sale.

The firm’s venture capitalist backers and the tech giant Microsoft – which has a $10bn stake in OpenAI – have also called for his return, according to the FT.

Sources say there have been a couple of sleepless nights in Seattle, the headquarters of Microsoft, which has also integrated OpenAI’s technology into its applications.

If Mr Altman does indeed return, some speculate he may demand the creation of a new board of directors.

Dan Ives from investment firm Wedbush Securities told BBC News he believes Mr Altman will be restored as OpenAI’s chief executive. “The board clearly overplayed their hands. I would almost call it a coup attempt, in terms of trying to get Altman out. But this is going to backfire,” Mr Ives said. “I would expect the board to be out in the next 24 hours and Altman to be back. He is the golden child of AI. That continues to be what Microsoft and other investors are focused on.”

OpenAI is widely seen to be a company at its peak, with lucrative investment pouring in, and ChatGPT – which was launched almost a year ago – is used by millions.

Mr Altman has been the face of the firm’s rise. More than that, he is seen by many as the face of the industry more widely.

He testified before a US Congressional hearing to discuss the opportunities and risks created by the new technology and also appeared at the world’s first AI Safety Summit in the UK at the beginning of November.

His ousting sparked an outpouring of support from Silicon Valley bosses, including former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt who called Mr Altman “a hero of mine” and said that he had “changed our collective world forever”.

(BBC)



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.

Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.

A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.

These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.

Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments

Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.

Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.

“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.

The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.

Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.

“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.

Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.

She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”

Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.

As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.

For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.

By Ifham Nizam

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.

Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.

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