After days of corporate turmoil following Altman’s sudden dismissal on Friday, the San Francisco-based company made the news. Almost the entire 750-person crew at OpenAI had threatened to depart unless the company’s board of directors brought Altman back and then quit immediately.
After a worker and investor campaign, the new board announced an agreement in principle’ for the return of the former CEO. After the ChatGPT developer announced it had “reached an agreement in principle” for his reinstatement, Sam Altman is going to return as CEO of OpenAI.
The arrangement negotiated overnight includes a new board of directors overseen by Bret Taylor, the former co-CEO of software firm Salesforce. It will include former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Adam D’Angelo, a software entrepreneur and current board member who played a part in Altman’s dismissal. “With a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo, we have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO. We’re working together to iron out the kinks. Thank you so much for your patience throughout this,” OpenAI stated on its official X, formerly known as Twitter, account.
OpenAI tweet
Altman followed up with a statement: “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.” He went on to say, “I’m looking forward to returning to OpenAI.”
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
Sam’s tweet
The board of OpenAI’s non-profit parent, which oversees a commercial subsidiary controlled by Altman, sacked him on Friday. He reportedly made the dismissal of the board and a reorganisation of OpenAI’s governance a condition for his return.
Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, has lobbied for Altman’s reinstatement. It hired Altman and OpenAI’s president, Greg Brockman, on Monday, after his colleague was fired, in a move that observers viewed as handing the ex-CEO de facto command over his former business.
Brockman also confirmed his return to OpenAI on X, tweeting “we are so back” in a selfie with coworkers.
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
Greg Tweet -we are so back
Greg has also showed his gratitude towards CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, CTO Microsoft, Kevin Scott and Microsoft team for their support in this matter in a post on X.
we are so back pic.twitter.com/YcKwkqdNs5
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023
 Greg tweet
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tweeted on Wednesday morning, “We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board. We feel that this is an important first step towards more stable, informed, and effective government. Sam, Greg, and I discussed it and agreed that they, along with the OAI leadership team, have a critical role to play in ensuring OAI continues to thrive and build on its mission. We look forward to expanding on our great cooperation and bringing the value of this next generation of artificial intelligence to our clients and partners.”
Incredible gratitude to @satyanadella, @kevin_scott, & the Microsoft team for their unwavering support during this trying chapter.
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023
CEO Microsoft tweet
On Monday, OpenAI informed employees that it was in “intense discussions” to bring Altman back. “We are continuing to discuss mutually acceptable options and are scheduled to speak again tomorrow morning after everyone has gotten a little more sleep,” said Anna Makanju in a memo, vice-president of global affairs. “These intense discussions can drag out, and I know it can feel impossible to be patient.”
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
If Altman’s reinstatement is confirmed, he will become OpenAI’s fourth CEO in five days. He was initially succeeded as interim CEO by Mira Murati, the company’s chief technical officer, but the board chose Emmet Shear, co-founder of video game broadcasting site Twitch, as a new temporary leader. According to reports, OpenAI will conduct an independent investigation into Altman’s dismissal and its repercussions.
Altman was fired by OpenAI’s board last week for failing to be “candid in his communications,” but the board declined to elaborate on which communications it was referring to. Shear claimed that Altman’s dismissal was motivated by safety concerns, despite widespread anxiety among experts that AI development was growing too quickly.
