Sam Altman Returns to OpenAI With Support From Employees

After an intense week of drama, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence giant behind ChatGPT, has made a significant decision to bring Sam Altman back as its chief executive. This announcement came after a drastic revamp of the company’s board, which saw several members being asked to leave after ousting Altman.

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

Altman’s reinstatement at OpenAI followed a vigorous campaign supported by his allies, employees, and investors who were against the board’s previous decision to oust him. This process culminated in a radical five-day event that saw the company overturning its initial move and even restructuring its board. Furthermore, Microsoft offered to hire OpenAI employees with the same compensation.

As part of the changes, the incoming board will consist of Bret Taylor, former Facebook officer and Salesforce co-CEO, Lawrence Summers, former Treasury secretary, and Adam D’Angelo, Quora CEO. Taylor is slated to act as the new board chairman.

Previously, four board members, Ilya Sutskever, Adam D’Angelo, Helen Toner, and Tasha McCauley, had decided to oust Altman. However, the unfolding employee revolt forced Sutskever to reconsider his stance. He expressed deep regret about his involvement in the prior board action and even signed the pro-Altman letter, a clear turnaround from his earlier position. Though he is no longer a board member, he still remains an OpenAI employee.

OpenAI stated that an “agreement in principle” had been reached for Altman to resume his role as CEO according to their social media account.

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 are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023

Amongst the board, it was D’Angelo who was instrumental in leading the negotiations for these structural changes. The board’s composition reportedly slowed down the decision to reinstate Altman, thus indicating potential future expansion. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella signaled his approval of the changes, describing them as a “first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance.”

In the midst of this reshuffle, over 700 OpenAI employees rallied behind Altman. They signed a letter declaring their intent to leave and follow Altman to Microsoft if he wasn’t reinstated, a move that could have severely threatened the future of the startup.

As the events played out, “OpenAI employees had been given this week off for Thanksgiving, but many workers remained in the office or glued to their screens to follow the drama. ‘Thank god,’ one employee said. ‘We’re so back,’ said another.”