Sam Altman to return as OpenAI CEO: Here’s what happened

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Last update:

Sam Altman is back in OpenAI as CEO! 

He will return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.

OpenAI announced the news on X, previously known as Twitter:

Besides Altman, Greg Brockman confirmed he is returning to OpenAI and coding tonight. 

The announcement follows immense pressure after over 500 employees, on Monday, warned the company that they would switch to a new Microsoft AI team headed by Sam Altman and Greg Brockman. 

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella welcomed Sam Altman’s decision to return to OpenAI, which fired him last week, and said he talked with Sam over the issue. 

“Sam, Greg, and I have talked and agreed they have a key role to play along with the OAI leadership team in ensuring OAI continues to thrive and build on its mission,” posted Satya Nadella on X. 

Notably, Microsoft’s CEO announced on Monday that Sam Altman and Greg Brockman will join Microsoft to establish a new AI lab.

That followed after OpenAI announced that ex-Twitch CEO Emmett Shear will replace Altman on an interim basis. 

Initially, Mira Murati was supposed to take the role, but she joined the group of employees calling for Altman’s return.

The entire saga started when Sam Altman was fired from the board of directors after the review process, which concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.

According to Bloomberg’s report last month, OpenAI is in talks to sell existing employees’ shares at an $86B valuation. However, the company is negotiating the transaction, known as a tender offer, with potential investors. 

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Vigneshwar Ravichandran

Vigneshwar has been a News Reporter at Silicon Canals since 2018. A seasoned technology journalist with almost a decade of experience, he covers the European startup ecosystem, from AI and Web3 to clean energy and health tech. Previously, he was a content producer and consumer product reviewer for leading Indian digital media, including NDTV, GizBot, and FoneArena. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Instrumentation in Chennai and a Diploma in Broadcasting Journalism in New Delhi.

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