Microsoft has hired Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, to lead a new unit focused on advancing artificial intelligence technology. Despite being an early investor in OpenAI, Microsoft’s decision to create an in-house AI research team highlights a rift in the AI community between those advocating caution and those pushing for rapid progress. Altman’s firing by OpenAI’s board, which was confirmed over the weekend, was done reportedly due to behavior and lack of transparency.