Axios PM

By Mike Allen · Nov 17, 2023

👋 Happy Friday! Today's PM — edited by Noah Bressner — is 553 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Sheryl Miller for the copy edit.

⚡️ 1 big thing — Breaking: Tech titan booted

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco yesterday. Photo: Eric Risberg/AP OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will leave the company in a surprise move announced today, Axios managing editor for tech Scott Rosenberg writes. Why it matters: Altman has led OpenAI — the company that launched ChatGPT a year ago and sparked an AI boom — since 2019. The announcement by the company's board suggested he was fired for not being "consistently candid in his communications with the board." OpenAI said it would not comment on the changes beyond its statement. Mira Murati, the chief technology officer, will serve as interim CEO, effective immediately. Catch up quick: Altman oversaw OpenAI's 2019 restructuring from a pure nonprofit dedicated to developing artificial general intelligence to an organization with a for-profit subsidiary. The company established a broad alliance with Microsoft, which invested heavily in OpenAI and provided cloud computing resources that enabled it to develop the GPT series of large language models.

2. 🐦 Scoop: Apple hits Elon

Photo: Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images Apple is pausing all advertising on X after Elon Musk's endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory, sources tell Axios' Ina Fried. Why it matters: Apple is by far the largest company to pull away from X, formerly Twitter. What's happening: Musk agreed with a post on Wednesday that claimed Jewish communities support "dialectical hatred against whites." "You have said the actual truth," Musk replied. 🔎 Zoom in: IBM, Lionsgate and the European Union have announced that they'll stop advertising on X. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates denounced Musk and said it's "unacceptable to repeat the hideous lie behind the most fatal act of Antisemitism in American history."  Bates appeared to be referring to the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11. Keep reading.

A MESSAGE FROM GOLDMAN SACHS

Stay ahead with the 2024 Goldman Sachs Outlooks

Get the sharpest forecasts on the global economy. Here’s how: Our chief economist Jan Hatzius, along with Goldman Sachs economists and strategists, provide their analysis on global growth, industry trends, and more. Read our insights here.

3. Catch me up

Photo: Terrance Williams/AP 🏈 Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow won't play again this season after suffering a torn ligament in his right wrist. Go deeper. 🥜 Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has entered hospice care at home in Georgia. The former president entered hospice care nine months ago. More from Axios' Shauneen Miranda. ⚕️Booming demand for new weight-loss and diabetes drugs is expected to increase medical expenses for employers next year. Go deeper.

4. 🔋 Electric vehicles dominate

Clockwise, from top left: Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV9 and Chevrolet Silverado EV. Photos: Hyundai, Kia and Chevrolet

More than half of the finalists for North America's best car, truck and SUV run on electricity, not gasoline — a strong indication of where the industry is headed, Axios' Joann Muller writes. Why it matters: Electric vehicles feature some of the industry's most innovative technology — and they're also the most fun to drive. That comes from experience: Joann is one of 50 journalists on the jury for the annual North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year awards. The vehicles were chosen from a preliminary list of 52 eligible vehicles, which are reviewed throughout the year by the jurors. Joann and the other jurors will complete their evaluations over the coming weeks. The winners will be announced on Jan. 4. Car finalists: Honda Accord, Hyundai Ioniq 6 (EV), Toyota Prius/Prius Prime. Truck finalists: Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Ford Super Duty. Utility finalists: Genesis Electrified GV70, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX30 (all EVs). Share this story.

A MESSAGE FROM GOLDMAN SACHS

Global analysis on the economic trends shaping 2024

Goldman Sachs economists and strategists share insights on the key factors driving the global economy. What to expect: Our Outlooks provide market-by-market, region-by-region, sector-by-sector analysis for the year ahead.