OpenAI’s scenario changed in 5 days; Sam Altman returns with new board members
Sam Altman, who was dismissed by the OpenAI board last Friday due to disagreements over the pace of artificial intelligence development and monetization, has been in talks with the company about a potential return. These 5 days have been a rollercoaster ride for OpenAI, from the firing of Sam Altman to him joining Microsoft and then employees revolting to resign to bring Sam back.
On Sunday, the discussions hit a deadlock, partly due to Altman and others exerting pressure on board members to step down. Yesterday, OpenAI publicly announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Sam is returning as the OpenAI CEO, “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam to return to OpenAI as CEO 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 with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023
We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.
Before Sam Altman’s removal as the CEO of OpenAI, he clashed with Helen Toner, an AI researcher and director on the company’s non-profit board. Altman aimed to oust Toner from the board and enlisted the involvement of other board members in this effort, as reported by The Information. This additional context sheds light on the public dispute that unfolded on Friday, marking one of the most significant corporate dramas in recent history. Altman’s dismissal triggered the resignation of four senior employees and led to four days of disruption within the startup.
In a post on X, former OpenAI interim CEO, Emmett Shear expressed his joy over the late-night outcome on Tuesday, as he described it, “~72 very intense hours of work.”Altman’s dismissal had brought uncertainty to both OpenAI and Microsoft, which had moved quickly to control damage over the weekend by vowing to hire him and Greg Brockman, president of the startup.
I am deeply pleased by this result, after ~72 very intense hours of work. Coming into OpenAI, I wasn’t sure what the right path would be. This was the pathway that maximized safety alongside doing right by all stakeholders involved. I’m glad to have been a part of the solution. https://t.co/AGoDBbwhkq
— Emmett Shear (@eshear) November 22, 2023
Altman’s reply to OpenAI announcement was, “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 looking forward to returning to openai, and building on our strong partnership with msft.”
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
At present, OpenAI’s board comprises former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, D’Angelo (the sole remaining member from the original board), and Larry Summers, an Economist and Former Harvard president.
Taylor is renowned as an entrepreneur, with a track record of co-founding several companies, such as FriendFeed (acquired by Facebook) and Quip (which led to his connection with Salesforce through acquisition). On the other hand, Summers brings extensive business and government ties, viewed as an asset to OpenAI, especially during a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny of AI.
