In a surprising turn of events, Sam Altman is set to return as the CEO of OpenAI after a tumultuous boardroom coup which transpired at the company in recent days. The former president, Greg Brockman, who had resigned in protest of Altman’s abrupt firing, will reportedly also be making a return.
OpenAI is reportedly overhauling its board of directors and issued a statement revealing that an “agreement in principle” had been reached for Altman’s return. The new board, which will accompany Altman, includes notable figures such as Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo. D’Angelo, a holdover from the previous board, remains to provide representation for the initial decision-makers.
According to reports, negotiations indicate that the primary task of this new, smaller board is to vet and appoint a larger board, potentially consisting of up to nine members, aimed at resetting OpenAI’s governance structure. Microsoft, a major investor committing billions to the company, is keen on securing a seat on the expanded board, reflecting the strategic partnership between the tech giant and OpenAI. Altman himself is expected to have a seat as well.
This announcement comes after nearly all of OpenAI’s employees threatened to quit over Altman’s ousting and to defect to Microsoft alongside Altman and Brockman unless the board resigned. The board members who opposed Altman had not provided detailed reasons for his dismissal, even amid potential legal repercussions and employee unrest.
An investigation into the circumstances leading to Altman’s initial removal will be conducted, according to reports. The investigation, to be carried out by an independent law firm, aims to bring transparency to the situation.
Emmett Shear, appointed as interim CEO, reportedly threatened to resign unless the board produced evidence of wrongdoing to justify Altman’s firing. Following the announcement of Altman’s return, Shear referred to it as “the pathway that maximised safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved,” indicating a resolution to the recent turmoil at OpenAI.
The latest update in the OpenAI saga could signal a significant victory for Microsoft as it solidifies its influence over the company in which it invested billions. The company has been a stark advocate of AI development—a sector widely perceived in Silicon Valley as the pivotal wave of technological progress in the coming decades.
Expressing optimism about the alterations to the OpenAI board, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella remarked on X, “We view this as an initial and crucial step towards achieving more stable, well-informed, and effective governance.”
The event is also a win for Altman’s vision to rapidly introduce and commercialise AI tools. The OpenAI chief is known to have publicly emphasised the potential risks associated with AI, pledging to work with lawmakers and customers that he would move the company forward responsibly.
Internally, however, Altman has been advocating for an accelerated market launch of products and their profitable sale, reflecting a dynamic approach within the company.
