OpenAI in Crisis as Board Considers Rehiring Ousted CEO Sam Altman
The upheaval at OpenAI continues as the company’s board is reportedly in discussions with Sam Altman to potentially reinstate him as CEO. This comes just days after Altman was abruptly fired, sending shockwaves through the company and the tech industry.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Altman is hesitant about returning and is seeking significant governance changes within the company. His sudden removal without notice has left OpenAI in disarray, with several key figures departing in the aftermath.
Following Altman’s dismissal, OpenAI’s president and former board chairman, Greg Brockman, resigned, and rumors of starting a new company with Altman have been circulating. Additionally, a number of senior researchers have also left the company, and more departures are reportedly on the horizon.
The company’s largest investor, Microsoft, has expressed its commitment to its partnership with OpenAI, despite the recent turmoil. However, the decision to remove Altman was made without consulting investors, leading to uncertainty about the company’s future.
OpenAI’s remaining board members include chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo, former GeoSim Systems CEO Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner, the director of strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. The board is tasked with ensuring the creation of “broadly beneficial” artificial general intelligence, rather than prioritizing shareholder value.
The potential return of Altman highlights the internal struggles and power dynamics at OpenAI, raising questions about the company’s stability and direction moving forward. As one of the leading voices in the AI industry, Altman’s fate and the future of OpenAI will be closely watched by industry observers and competitors alike.