OpenAI, the Artificial Intelligence company behind ChatGPT, declared an agreement on Tuesday for the return of Sam Altman as CEO, just days after his removal.
This announcement concludes a period of fervent deliberation about the trajectory of the pioneering startup at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution.
Alongside Altman’s reinstatement, the company revealed plans to partially restructure the board of directors, which had previously dismissed him. Notable figures joining the board include former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who will collaborate with current director Adam D’Angelo, the CEO of Quora, according to OpenAI’s statement.
The events leading up to Altman’s return were tumultuous, marked by a weekend of significant shifts. Initially, Altman had agreed to transition to Microsoft, OpenAI’s financial supporter, to oversee a new research team there. However, following a rejection by OpenAI’s board, Altman attempted to return to the startup, naming ex-Twitch chief Emmett Shear as interim CEO on Sunday.
Altman’s dismissal had triggered uncertainty within both OpenAI and Microsoft, prompting swift damage control measures by Microsoft, which pledged to hire Altman and Greg Brockman, the startup’s president.
A letter reviewed by Reuters revealed that nearly all of OpenAI’s extensive staff, totaling over 700 members, had threatened to depart unless the board resigned and reinstated Altman and Brockman.
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, expressed approval of the changes to OpenAI’s board in a statement on X, acknowledging the developments within the company.
The reinstatement of Sam Altman signifies a pivotal moment for OpenAI, marking a resolution to a period of uncertainty and paving the way for the startup’s continued leadership in the realm of artificial intelligence.
