Sam Altman officially back as OpenAI CEO: We didn’t lose a single employee
Altman forgives Sutskever; Microsoft will serve observer role on new OpenAI board.
On Wednesday, OpenAI announced the official return of Sam Altman as CEO, along with Mira Murati as CTO and Greg Brockman as president. This comes after Altman’s shocking firing that threw the company into turmoil two weeks ago. Despite the crisis, Altman revealed that the company did not lose any employees or customers.
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, Altman stated in an official news release. I feel so, so good about our probability of success for achieving our mission.
Altman also addressed his relationship with Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, who played a significant role in Altman’s removal from the company. Altman expressed his love and respect for Sutskever, referring to him as a guiding light in the field and a remarkable individual. Although Sutskever will no longer serve on the board, Altman expressed hopes of continuing their working relationship at OpenAI.
Furthermore, Altman thanked OpenAI’s leadership team and Microsoft representatives for their support during this episode. He also commended interim CEO Emmett Shear for his dedication to AI safety and balancing stakeholders’ interests.
Following Altman’s reinstatement, OpenAI employees staged a mass revolt, signing a letter demanding his return and threatening to resign. Their movement was in response to an internal memo from OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap, revealing that the decision to fire Altman was not based on any wrongdoing.
The board has undergone significant changes, with Bret Taylor and economist Larry Summers officially joining as new directors. Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo retains his seat on the board, while Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner have officially resigned. Additionally, a Microsoft representative will be an observer on the board in a non-voting role, given Microsoft’s significant investment in OpenAI.
Altman’s return also raises the question of why the board lost trust in him initially. In an interview with The Verge, Altman mentioned that an independent review would be conducted to shed light on this matter. He expressed his eagerness to learn more while acknowledging the calls for swift structural changes within OpenAI.
In the official release, new OpenAI board chairman Bret Taylor emphasized the company’s commitment to building a diverse and exceptional board. An independent committee will also investigate the cause of the recent turmoil and review the governance structure to prevent similar disruptions in the future. Taylor added that once these transitional tasks are completed, he intends to step away and entrust the oversight of OpenAI to his fellow board members.
As OpenAI moves forward with Altman’s reinstatement and a renewed focus on stability, critics have called for greater diversity among board members. OpenAI appears to be addressing this concern, aiming to create a more inclusive board.
As OpenAI reestablishes its leadership and begins this new chapter, it will be crucial to maintain transparency and address the concerns raised during the recent crisis. Altman’s return brings hope for a stronger future, as OpenAI continues its mission to advance artificial intelligence.
Note: This article has been written based on available information and interviews, and further updates may follow as the situation unfolds.
