Sam Altman quits OpenAI, ‘picked’ by Microsoft, then back at helm as CEO; all details here

New Delhi: The turbulence at ChatGPT creator OpenAI seems to be settling down after the return of Sam Atlman to the company as CEO. The OpenAI directors on Wednesday announced that they have reached a deal with the sacked CEO and the latter is set to return to the company in similar capacity as earlier.

The OpenAI board of directors had sacked Sam Altman on November 17, over charges of ‘not being communicative’ to the company and focusing on ‘secret goals’.

Sam Altman’s sacking by the company, his own pledge to shut down all association with OpenAI, a joining offer by Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and then the tech wizard announcing his return to the firm.. makes for a compelling & interesting story.

Altman’s exit prompted ‘big stir’

Sam Altman was shown the door by OpenAI board management on last Friday over ‘grave charges’ against him. Within days of his sacking, the company’s 770 strong workforce launched a major stir and rallied behind him. Over 70% of workforce i.e. 500 staff threatened to quit the company, if he wasn’t reinstated.

Not just Altman but the OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman was also sacked from the Board. This set off series of tumultuous event not just in the company but also in the Silicon valley, as many tech firms toyed with the idea of taking the duo on board.

The ‘drama’ which started with Altman’s exit came to end today, with the company announcing its pact with its former CEO.

What company said on reinstating Altman

“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. We are collaborating to figure out the details,” the San Francisco-based AI research firm wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Altman also took to X and said that he loved OpenAI and he was happy to return to the company.

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…

— Sam Altman (@sama) November 22, 2023

“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,” Altman posted on X.

Greg Brockman, who also quit OpenAI after Altman’s ouster, is also coming back.

Nadella hired Altman after OpenAI exit

Microsoft, the largest stakeholder in OpenAI, said that it had hired Altman after his removal and Greg Brockman was also ready to join.

Notably, Microsoft is OpenAI’s biggest shareholder and has purportedly invested $13 billion in the company.

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… https://t.co/djO6Fuz6t9

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 22, 2023

Post Altman’s return to OpenAI, Nadella said that both of them agreed that this is “a first essential step” to build a “more stable, well-informed, and effective governance” in OpenAI.

Why Altman was fired

Sam Altman is widely perceived as the face behind OpenAI and also credited with the launch of ChatGPT, a revolutionary technology.

He was fired over a Google call meet on Friday. Subsequently, the services of Greg Brockman was also discontinued over his ‘close ties’ with Sam.