In a surprise move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, the board of OpenAI, the AI startup behind ChatGPT and other viral AI-powered hits, has reportedly agreed to resign and allow the company’s co-founder and former CEO, Sam Altman, to return. This decision comes just days after the board unceremoniously removed Altman from his position, citing a lack of candor in his communications.
The reversal of fortune is a testament to the immense influence that Altman and his allies hold over the company. Altman, a former president of Y Combinator, is a revered figure in the Silicon Valley startup scene, and his removal from OpenAI sparked immediate outrage from investors, partners, and employees.
Microsoft, a major OpenAI partner, was reportedly “furious” to learn of Altman’s departure and played a key role in pressuring the board to reinstate him. Other influential OpenAI backers, including Tiger Global, Sequoia Capital, and Thrive Capital, were also said to be considering legal action against the board.
The board’s decision to fire Altman appears to have been motivated by concerns over his commercial ambitions for the company. Altman’s plans to monetize OpenAI’s technology reportedly clashed with the board’s vision for the company as a non-profit focused on ensuring that AI benefits humanity.
However, Altman’s supporters argue that his leadership is essential to OpenAI’s success. They point to his track record of innovation and his ability to attract top talent as evidence that he is the best person to lead the company into the future. As the board contemplates its next move, OpenAI faces a wave of resignations from top AI researchers and executives. Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and co-founder, resigned after being stripped of his position as chair, followed by the departure of three senior researchers, including Jakub Pachocki and Aleksander Madry. Additional resignations are reportedly on the horizon, indicating a challenging environment within the organization.
However, the tech community, and seemingly many within OpenAI, rallied in support of Altman, highlighting the immediate outpouring of high-profile endorsements. Reports suggest that the board, facing mounting pressure, has agreed in principle to resign, potentially making room for a Microsoft-aligned member and allowing Altman and Brockman to return.
Altman’s return, however, remains uncertain as he reportedly expresses ambivalence and seeks significant managerial changes. The situation has put OpenAI’s structure in question, with the fate of the board and the company hanging in the balance.
