Sam Altman, previously dismissed as CEO of OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, is returning to lead the company.
This turnaround follows a dramatic week filled with internal disputes and industry-wide shock, highlighting tensions over AI development’s safety.
OpenAI, based in San Francisco, announced that Altman is set to rejoin as CEO under a newly formed board. This board, replacing the one responsible for Altman’s firing, will be chaired by Bret Taylor, ex-co-CEO of Salesforce and former chairman of Twitter’s board during Elon Musk’s acquisition. Other members include former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora.
Altman’s dismissal by OpenAI’s previous board, which included D’Angelo, was not publicly explained, sparking internal discord and investor pressure. This controversy underscored the divergent views within OpenAI, particularly between Altman, a prominent figure in the commercialization of generative AI since ChatGPT’s launch, and board members concerned about AI’s safety risks.
Following Altman’s removal, Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, moved swiftly to hire him and another co-founder, Greg Brockman, who resigned in protest. This action galvanized nearly all of OpenAI’s 770 employees, who demanded the board’s resignation and Altman’s reinstatement.
Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI co-founder and key figure in Altman’s ouster, later expressed regret and supported the board’s resignation.
Microsoft, ready to absorb employees wishing to follow Altman and Brockman, created a new AI research division. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, acknowledging the governance issues at OpenAI, remained open to Altman’s return.
Nadella expressed optimism about the board’s restructuring on X, viewing it as a step towards better governance. Altman, in his statement, showed enthusiasm about rejoining OpenAI and strengthening its partnership with Microsoft.
OpenAI, initially a nonprofit aimed at developing advanced AI for human benefit, later transitioned to a for-profit model under its nonprofit board. The future of this governance structure, especially with the new board, remains to be clarified.
Nadella noted Brockman’s continuing significant role in OpenAI. Shortly after, Brockman highlighted ChatGPT Voice, a new feature, on social media.
Emmett Shear, OpenAI’s interim CEO during the upheaval, reflected on his role in resolving the situation on X, marking his brief but impactful tenure.
News source: https://openai.com/
