November 22, 2023: Sam Altman has reclaimed his position as CEO of OpenAI, marking the end of a turbulent period within the company characterized by a boardroom coup. This unexpected turn of events comes after a five-day power struggle that saw Altman ousted and then reinstated.
Greg Brockman, the former president who resigned in protest of Altman’s initial dismissal, is also making a comeback.
A new board, comprising Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo, will work alongside Altman. D’Angelo, a member of the previous board that dismissed Altman, remains to maintain continuity.
This board’s primary task is to establish a larger, 9-person board to oversee OpenAI’s governance, with significant interest from Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, to secure a position on this expanded board.
The reinstatement of Altman, a decision celebrated by OpenAI’s investors like Thrive Capital, indicates a preference for stability and continuity at the helm of the company.
However, the narrative surrounding these events is far from complete.
An independent investigation into the circumstances leading up to the coup is expected, hinting at ongoing internal dynamics within the company.
Amidst this leadership rollercoaster, the focus now shifts to how OpenAI will navigate its future under Altman’s renewed leadership.
His return, more surprising than his abrupt exit, underscores the complex and highly human dynamics at play within one of the most influential companies in the tech industry.
