Coinspeaker
Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO after 12 Days of Unemployment while Microsoft Gets Board Seat
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has officially returned to his role after being temporarily ousted by the company board. At the time, the board cited communication breakdowns with Altman as their reason for his removal.
The removal triggered 97% of OpenAI employees who asked for the reinstatement of Altman and the resignation of the board. On November 22, the board agreed in principle to bring Altman back.
The Triumphant Return of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
As demanded by the employees, board members Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley both resigned from their positions. Co-founder and chief scientist at the company, Ilya Sutskever, has also exited the board. Elsewhere, interim CEO, Mira Murati will return to her previous role as chief technology officer. Company president, Greg Brockman will also resume his former role.
Altman returns to an initial board of directors comprising all males, suggesting there will be other members later. The board includes former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, and former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor as board chair.
The new board members have been tasked with improving the company’s governance structure. They will also oversee an independent review of events that made the previous board lose confidence in Altman.
“I have never been more excited about the future. I am extremely grateful for everyone’s hard work in an unclear and unprecedented situation, and I believe our resilience and spirit set us apart in the industry, “ said Altman.
New Faces, New Priorities
Meanwhile, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) will also be joining the board as a non-voting observer. The board will be looking to leverage the tech company’s experience as it navigates the murky boardroom waters. In the company memo made public on Nov. 29, Mr Altman acknowledged Microsoft’s support through it all.
“We clearly made the right choice to partner with Microsoft and I’m excited that our new board will include them” he commented.
Altman also shared his strategic vision for the future of OpenAI. He noted that the firm will renew its commitment to research, improving its products, and better serving its customers. The CEO hopes to work with everyone to show the stability of the firm despite its recent challenges.
“We will turn this crisis into an opportunity,” he concluded.
Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO after 12 Days of Unemployment while Microsoft Gets Board Seat
