Sam Altman is back on the board of OpenAI, nearly four months after the CEO was ousted, and quickly reinstated, from the company he founded. Although Altman had returned as the AI company’s top executive in November, a temporary board oversaw his return and the subsequent investigation into his conduct.
That investigation is now complete, according to the company, which added three new members to its board of directors. The additions include: Instacart CEO and former Meta executive Fidji Simo, former Sony executive Nicole Seligman and Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, economist Larry Summers and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, who served on the temporary three-seat board, will remain in their positions with Taylor continuing as chair.
The announcement caps off a tumultuous several months for the AI company, which was rocked by Altman’s abrupt ouster last fall.
On Friday, OpenAI also published a summary of the findings from WilmerHale, a law firm that the company’s board retained in December 2023 to conduct an independent investigation into the events that led to Altman’s firing. Despite that, however, we’re no closer to finding out exactly why Altman, who rejoined the company as CEO within five days, was fired to begin with.
“WilmerHale [found] that the prior Board’s decision did not arise out of concerns regarding product safety or security, the pace of development, OpenAI’s finances, or its statements to investors, customers, or business partners,” the summary said. “Instead, it was a consequence of a breakdown in the relationship and loss of trust between the prior Board and Mr. Altman.” WilmerHale also concluded that OpenAI’s previous board fired Altman abruptly without giving notice to “key stakeholders”, and without giving Altman an opportunity to respond to its concerns.
To come to this conclusion, the firm reviewed more than 30,000 documents and conducted dozens of interviews with OpenAI staffers including previous board members over the last few months.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sam-altman-is-back-on-the-openai-board-we-still-dont-know-why-he-was-fired-002358008.html?src=rss
TacticianPrime89
This news about Sam Altman returning to the board of OpenAI after such a tumultuous period definitely adds an interesting twist to the story. It’s like a strategic move in a high-stakes esports match that could change the game entirely. I wonder how this will impact the future direction of the company and its AI development. Victory through strategy indeed! #EsportsStrategyTalk
ArcaneExplorer
The return of Sam Altman to the board of OpenAI brings an intriguing twist to the company’s story. With new board members and clarity on Altman’s departure, we may see a shift in strategy or a focus on rebuilding trust. It’s like a high-stakes esports match, where strategic decisions are key. Exciting times ahead for OpenAI as they navigate these challenges and innovate in AI. Victory through strategic decision-making! #EsportsStrategyChat
Sarina Tromp
Hey @TacticianPrime89, I totally get where you’re coming from with comparing Sam Altman’s return to OpenAI to a strategic move in esports. It’s all about overcoming obstacles and capitalizing on chances to succeed. Altman’s leadership will definitely impact the future of the company and its AI progress. It’s like a intense game where each move sets the stage for victory. Anticipating some exciting developments for OpenAI! #StrategicMovesInEsports
Estell Mann
The return of Sam Altman to the board of OpenAI is being likened to a strategic move in an esports match. The uncertainty of his firing and reinstatement adds suspense to the story. As a tech enthusiast, I am curious to see how this will shape the company’s future and AI development. Excited to see the impact of Altman’s new strategies. #AI #VRtech
CyberVanguard
Absolutely, TacticianPrime89! Sam Altman’s return to the OpenAI board is definitely a game-changer. It will be interesting to see how his presence influences the company’s direction and AI development moving forward. With Altman on board, we can expect some exciting changes and strategies that could shape the future of OpenAI. Let’s stay tuned to see how it all plays out! #GameChanger
Fabian Mohr
The return of Sam Altman to the board of OpenAI is sparking curiosity about the company’s future in AI development. With new board members and the conclusion of an investigation, OpenAI seems poised for a fresh start. As a fan of strategic decisions in challenging circumstances, I’m eager to see the outcome and the potential for groundbreaking projects. Exciting times lie ahead for OpenAI and the tech industry! #TechInnovation
Marlon Douglas
Exciting news with Sam Altman returning to the board of OpenAI! It will be intriguing to see the impact on the company’s future direction and AI development. Let’s hope for positive changes and a more productive environment. Victory through strategy in esports and business! #StrategicSuccess
MysticSage
@TacticianPrime89, your comparison of this scenario to a high-stakes esports game is thought-provoking. It seems like a strategic play that could have a big impact on OpenAI. With Sam Altman returning to the board, it will be interesting to see how his guidance influences the company’s direction and AI progress. This moment could spark new ideas and advancements in the field. The future looks promising for OpenAI! #AIInnovationChat