In a surprising turn of events, Sam Altman is reinstated as the CEO of OpenAI just days after his removal, accompanied by the appointment of a new board. This dramatic power struggle has highlighted the challenges of safely building artificial intelligence (AI) and has drawn attention to the conflicts within the organization.
The leadership shake-up
Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI, is making a remarkable return to the company that dismissed him just a few days ago. This abrupt shift in leadership marks the conclusion of a tumultuous power struggle that sent shockwaves through the tech industry and brought concerns about the safe development of AI to the forefront.
OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco, announced late on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached in principle for Sam Altman to resume his role as CEO. This decision comes with the formation of a new initial board, replacing the previous board that had ousted Altman.
The new board
The reconstituted board will be led by Bret Taylor, the former co-CEO of Salesforce and former chair of Twitter’s board before its acquisition by Elon Musk’s company. Joining Taylor are former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo.
The removal of Altman by the prior board had raised eyebrows as specific reasons for his dismissal were not provided. This lack of transparency led to internal conflict within the company and external pressure from OpenAI’s investors.
The power struggle and safety concerns
This unexpected leadership change shed light on the differences within OpenAI. Sam Altman had emerged as a prominent figure in the commercialization of generative AI, notably with the introduction of ChatGPT a year ago. However, some members of the board expressed deep reservations regarding the safety risks associated with advancing AI technologies.
Microsoft, a significant investor in OpenAI and holder of rights to its existing technology, quickly moved to hire Altman following his removal. Greg Brockman, another co-founder and former president of OpenAI who had resigned in protest after Altman’s dismissal, was also welcomed back by Microsoft. This prompted a potential mass departure of nearly all of OpenAI’s 770 employees, who demanded the board’s resignation and Altman’s reinstatement.
One of the board members who had participated in Altman’s removal, Ilya Sutskever, later expressed regret and joined the call for the board’s resignation.
Microsoft’s involvement and the path forward
Microsoft had pledged to welcome any employees who wished to follow Altman and Brockman to a new AI research unit at the tech giant. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella indicated that he remained open to the possibility of Altman’s return to OpenAI, contingent on resolving the governance issues within the startup.
Satya Nadella shared his thoughts, stating, “We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board. We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance.”
In his response, Altman expressed his anticipation of returning to OpenAI with the support of the new board and Microsoft. He also highlighted the importance of building upon the strong partnership with Microsoft.
The evolution of OpenAI
OpenAI, initially founded by Altman as a nonprofit organization with a mission to safely develop artificial general intelligence surpassing human capabilities, later transitioned into a for-profit business. However, its governance structure with a nonprofit board remained intact. It remains to be seen whether the introduction of new board members will lead to structural changes within the organization.
OpenAI posted on X, “We are collaborating to figure out the details,” indicating that discussions about the board’s structure are ongoing.
Brockman, who had served as OpenAI’s board chairman before Altman’s removal, is expected to play a significant role in ensuring the organization continues to pursue its mission effectively.
A lighter note amidst turmoil
Interestingly, amid the leadership turmoil, Brockman returned to social media as if business were proceeding as usual. He promoted a feature called “ChatGPT Voice” that was being rolled out to users. The technology demonstration playfully acknowledged the recent tumultuous events.
In a lighthearted exchange, a person inquired, “It’s been a long night for the team and we’re hungry. How many 16-inch pizzas should I order for 778 people,” referring to the number of OpenAI employees. ChatGPT’s synthetic voice responded by recommending around 195 pizzas, ensuring each person gets three slices.
The unexpected reinstatement of Sam Altman as OpenAI’s CEO, accompanied by the appointment of a new board, marks a significant shift in the organization’s leadership and governance. This development has captivated the tech industry’s attention, emphasizing the complexities and challenges of navigating the safe development of artificial intelligence. As OpenAI moves forward with its renewed leadership, the industry will closely watch how these changes shape the organization’s future direction and mission.
