Proactive Investors - Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, is set to return as the company's boss following his recent dismissal by the board - ending five days of turmoil at the ChatGPT developer.
His re-appointment is part of an agreement that includes appointing new board members. Altman's firing last Friday led to significant unrest within the company, including an open letter from employees threatening to resign if he wasn't reinstated.
Confirming his return, Altman stated on X (previously known as Twitter) his commitment to OpenAI and its mission. He also mentioned strengthening the company's partnership with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT).
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
The decision to remove Altman was taken by three non-employee board members and a third co-founder, which resulted in co-founder Greg Brockman's resignation and subsequent turmoil within the organisation.
However, following a change of heart from co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever on X, who also signed the staff letter, the board reconsidered its decision.
Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, had offered Altman a position to lead a new advanced AI research team.
OpenAI has now confirmed Altman's return in principle and plans to restructure its board. The new board will include former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, alongside current director Adam D'Angelo. Brockman also announced his return to OpenAI in a post on X.