After a failed attempt at a boardroom coup that has caused the firm to descend into disarray over the last few days, Sam Altman will resume his role as CEO of OpenAI. Greg Brockman, the outgoing president who resigned in opposition to Altman’s termination, will also be back.
The business said late on Tuesday that it has a “proposal in principle” for Altman to rejoin the board, which will include Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo. Remaining from the previous board that dismissed Altman on Friday is D’Angelo. We’re informed he is still on this new board to provide some representation from the prior board.
According to those acquainted with the discussions, this tiny first board’s primary responsibility is to vet and choose a larger board, consisting of up to nine members, who would reset OpenAI’s governance. Both Altman and Microsoft, which has contributed more than $10 billion to OpenAI, would like to be represented on the enlarged board. CEO Satya Nadella declared this week’s press tour that the corporation was done with “surprises.”
Except for some last-minute documentation, all relevant parties have written about the return agreement, which looks to be finalized. “Whatever I’ve done in the last few days has been in support of keeping this team and its mission together,” Altman declared.
i love openai, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together. when i decided to join msft on sun evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. with the new board and w satya’s support, i’m…
— Sam Altman (@sama) November 22, 2023
We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board. We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance. Sam, Greg, and I have talked and agreed they have a key role to play along with the OAI leadership team in ensuring… https://t.co/djO6Fuz6t9
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 22, 2023
The return of Altman was dubbed “the best outcome for the company, its employees, those who build on their technologies, and the world at large” by Thrive Capital, one of OpenAI’s other major investors.
Thrive partner Kelly Sims told The Verge in a statement that “OpenAI has the potential to be one of the most consequential companies in the history of computing.” “Sam and Greg have an unparalleled capacity for inspiring and leading, and they have a strong dedication to the company’s ethics. We are ecstatic that they will be returning to the business they helped create and grow into what it is today.
“And now, we all get some sleep,” said Helen Toner, a crucial board member in the first effort to remove Altman.
And now, we all get some sleep😴 https://t.co/33Shlm04EQ
— Helen Toner (@hlntnr) November 22, 2023
It’s startling that Altman is back, much more than that abrupt departure on Friday. The nonprofit board of OpenAI appeared unwavering in its first choice to fire Altman, rotating through two CEOs in three days to prevent his reinstatement. Employees at OpenAI, led by Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, staged an uprising and threatened to leave the company in favor of Microsoft if the board failed to step down.
Even in the face of investor litigation, the board members who opposed Altman kept secret the specific reasons behind their decision to terminate him throughout the whole ordeal. Ilya Sutskever, a crucial board member, switched sides on Sunday, making the other three board members more susceptible.
According to our sources, interim CEO Emmett Shear, whom the board selected on Sunday to succeed outgoing temporary CEO Mira Murati, made a resignation threat if the board was unable to produce any records or proof of misconduct to justify Altman’s termination. Shear referred to it as “the pathway that maximized safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved” after the announcement of his return. I’m happy to have contributed to the resolution.
