Sam Altman To Return to OpenAI as CEO with New Initial Board

Moneylife Digital Team 22 November 2023

Ending suspense that lasted for almost a week, OpenAI says it has reached an an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to its chief executive officer (CEO) with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (chairman), Lawrence (Larry) H Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.

In a tweet on X, OpenAI says it is collaborating to figure out the details.

We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.

We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023

In a tweet, Mr Altman says, "With the new board and with Satya (Satya Nadela) 's support, I am looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with Microsoft."

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

Mr Altman was unceremoniously sacked on 17 November 2023.

After creating a high-voltage drama after abruptly sacking him, the OpenAI board started discussions with Mr Altman to return to the company as CEO.

However, Mr Altman, who was fired by the board on a video call, was earlier 'mbivalent' about coming back and sought key governance changes.

OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, who reportedly led efforts to remove Mr Altman, said on X that he deeply regrets his participation in the board's actions. "I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company," he noted.

I deeply regret my participation in the board's actions. I never intended to harm OpenAI. I love everything we've built together and I will do everything I can to reunite the company.
— Ilya Sutskever (@ilyasut) November 20, 2023

Meanwhile, after hiring Mr Altman to lead its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) research, Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has said that it's still possible that Mr Altman could return to OpenAI in some capacity.

In an interview with CNBC, Mr Nadella said that Microsoft wants Mr Altman and former OpenAI president Greg Brockman to have a fantastic home if they are not going to be in OpenAI.

Asked whether Mr Altman would return to OpenAI, Mr Nadella said: "That is for, you know, the OpenAI board and management and the employees to choose … (Microsoft) chose to explicitly partner with OpenAI (and) obviously that depends on the people at OpenAI staying there or coming to Microsoft, so I'm open to both options."

Mr Nadella said that Microsoft would want to see "something change around the governance" at OpenAI going forward, including around its investor relations. Microsoft, which has invested over US$10bn (billion) into OpenAI to date does not have a seat on OpenAI board.

On Monday, more than 500 employees at OpenAI reportedly threatened to resign and join Microsoft. OpenAI has nearly 770 employees.

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