Sam Altman Back As OpenAI CEO, Company Reaches In-Principle Agreement; Satya Nadella Reacts

Sam Altman is back as CEO Of OpenAI. The ousted leader of ChatGPT-maker is returning to the company that fired him late last week, culminating a days-long power struggle that shocked the tech industry and brought attention to the conflicts around how to safely build artificial intelligence.

San Francisco-based OpenAI said in a statement late Tuesday: “We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board.”

The board, which replaces the one that fired Altman on Friday, will be led by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, who also chaired Twitter’s board before its takeover by Elon Musk last year.

The other members will be former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo.

Earlier, initiating discussions, Sam Altman and OpenAI’s board were reportedly considering the reinstatement of Altman.

Also Read: Sam Altman Back As OpenAI CEO, How ChatGPT Maker Created & Fixed The Chaos?

“We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo,” OpenAI posted on X.

“We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this,” the post added.

“I love OpenAI, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together. when i decided to join msft on sun evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. with the new board and w satya’s support, i’m looking forward to returning to openai, and building on our strong partnership with msft,” Altman added in a X post.

Satya Nadella, Chairman & CEO, Microsoft, reacted on the latest development.

“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. Sam, Greg, and I have talked and agreed they have a key role to play along with the OAI leadership team in ensuring OAI continues to thrive and build on its mission.”

“We look forward to building on our strong partnership and delivering the value of this next generation of AI to our customers and partners,” Satya Nadella’s post added.

Microsoft, which has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and has rights to its current technology, quickly moved to hire Altman on Monday, as well as another co-founder and former president, Greg Brockman, who had quit in protest after Altman’s removal.

When It Started?

The board of the company behind ChatGPT on Friday fired Sam Altman, to many, the human face of generative AI – sending shock waves across the tech industry.

Reportedly, talks were underway between Altman and at least one board member, Adam D’Angelo, adding that the former CEO may rejoin as a director on a transitional board.

Altman’s dismissal led to a wave of resignations from OpenAI employees, including president and chairman Greg Brockman. Three senior researchers also resigned in protest.

Following an interview with CNBC, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had expressed openness to Sam Altman returning to OpenAI instead of joining Microsoft.

(With agency inputs)