Education

OpenAI to rehire Sam Altman as CEO with new initial board members

Published on November 22, 2023

Just two days after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hired former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to lead a new advanced AI research team, OpenAI backtracked on its decision to let go t

On Nov. 22, OpenAI announced a new agreement that would see the return of Altman as the company CEO. The company confirmed this decision through an official tweet.

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

According to OpenAI, the company and Altman “are collaborating to figure out the details.” Sam Altman reciprocated his willingness to join OpenAI by retweeting the onboarding announcement with a ‘heart’ emoji.

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

Additionally, Altman openly shared his “love” for OpenAI as he decided to withdraw from his new role at Microsoft, adding:

“I’m looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with Microsoft.”

Nadella supported Altman and president Greg Brockman’s decision to move back into OpenAI, and how it is essential for ensuring OpenAI continues to thrive and build on its mission.

Returning to OpenAI & getting back to coding tonight.

— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023

Altman’s short-lived departure from OpenAI revealed his role in unifying the team. On Nov. 20, 505 out of 700 OpenAI employees reportedly signed a letter stating that the board undermined the company’s mission by firing Altman.

“The process through which you terminated Sam Altman and removed Greg Brockman from the board has jeopardized all of this work and undermined our mission and company,” the letter stated.

The backlash from OpenAI employees, coupled with Microsoft’s timely job offer, recemented Altman’s dominant position across the AI ecosystem.

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