In less than a week, the artificial intelligence development company OpenAI has undergone a whirlwind of structural changes. On November 17, it was announced that Sam Altman, along with others, was stepping down from the company, and just three days later, Emmett Shear was revealed as the new CEO. However, the story has taken another turn, and Altman is now returning to his position as CEO at OpenAI.
OpenAI’s announcement, shared on its official X account, revealed that “in principle, we have reached an agreement for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board composed of Bret Taylor (chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo. We are working to finalize details. Thanks so much for your patience.”
Adam D’Angelo, co-founder and CEO of Quora, is the only member of the previous board retaining his position. Notably, D’Angelo voted in favor of Altman’s dismissal.
New members joining the board include Bret Taylor, co-CEO of Salesforce with a background in Facebook, Twitter, and the creator of Google Maps, and Larry Summers, an economist and former Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton.
OpenAI aims to form a nine-person board, with Microsoft, a major investor in the company, expressing interest in one of those seats. Microsoft played a role in shareholder pressure for Altman’s reinstatement. Employee dissatisfaction with the board’s decisions that led to Altman’s departure was also evident, with around 700 out of 750 employees signing a resignation letter to join Microsoft if the board did not reverse its decisions.
Sam Altman, in a statement on Microsoft’s website, expressed, “I love OpenAI, and everything I’ve done over the last few days has been to keep this team and its mission together. When I decided to join MSFT on Sunday afternoon, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. With the support of the new board and Satya, I look forward to returning to OpenAI and leveraging our strong partnership with MSFT.”
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella commented on the developments, stating that they were encouraged by the changes to OpenAI’s board. He recognized the importance of stability, informed decision-making, and effective governance. Nadella emphasized the key roles of Altman, Greg Brockman, and himself in ensuring OpenAI’s continued success and mission advancement. He reaffirmed their commitment to harnessing the potential of next-generation AI for their customers and partners.
Emmett Shear, who served as OpenAI’s CEO for just two days, promptly responded to the news on X. Shear expressed agreement with the outcome, stating, “I am deeply satisfied with this result after 72 hours of very intense work. When entering OpenAI, I was unsure of the right path. This was the path that maximized safety while doing right by all stakeholders involved. I am glad to have been part of the solution.”
OpenAI’s recent events highlight the dynamic nature of leadership and governance in the AI industry. Altman’s return as CEO alongside a restructured board signals a new chapter for the company, with a focus on stability, collaboration, and continued advancement of its AI mission.
