Another theory: it’s possibly related to a change of heart at OpenAI to become a for-profit company. It is rumoured Altman’s gunning for a 7% stake in the for-profit entity. That would be very substantial at a $150B valuation.

Squeezing out senior execs could be a way for him to maximize his claim on the stake. Notwithstanding, the execs may have disagreed with the shift in culture.