Two days after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hired former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to lead a new advanced artificial intelligence (AI) research team, OpenAI backtracked its decision to fire its co-founder.
On Nov. 22, OpenAI announced a new agreement that would see Altman return as CEO. The company confirmed the agreement in a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.
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. Thank you so much for your patience through this.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023
According to OpenAI, the company and Altman “are collaborating to figure out the details.” Altman reciprocated his willingness to join OpenAI by reposting the announcement with a heart emoji.
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
Altman openly expressed his “love” for OpenAI as he decided to withdraw from his new role at Microsoft, adding:
“I’m looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with Microsoft.”
Nadella supported Altman and OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman’s decision to move back to OpenAI, highlighting how it is essential to ensure OpenAI continues to thrive and build on its mission.
Returning to OpenAI & getting back to coding tonight.
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023
Altman’s short-lived departure from OpenAI revealed his role in unifying the team. On Nov. 20, 505 out of 700 OpenAI employees reportedly signed a letter stating that the board undermined the company’s mission by firing Altman.
Related: Emmett Shear new CEO of OpenAI: A timeline of Sam Altman’s ousting
“The process through which you terminated Sam Altman and removed Greg Brockman from the board has jeopardized all of this work and undermined our mission and company,” the letter stated.
The backlash from OpenAI employees and Microsoft’s timely job offer reinforced Altman’s dominant position across the AI ecosystem.
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