The OpenAI board seems to have rethought the sudden removal of Sam Altman as the company’s CEO. Reports from multiple media sources, citing anonymous insiders close to Altman and OpenAI, suggest that Altman has been offered a chance to come back, and talks have been underway. The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, The Verge, Bloomberg, and The Information have all referred to these sources.
After Altman’s departure, President Greg Brockman has also exited the company. He’s among the founding members. Moreover, there are murmurs about other employees quitting or thinking about leaving.
Word has it that Altman is mulling over the opportunity to return to OpenAI but with significant changes in the top brass. Apparently, the board is open to stepping down and aims to facilitate the return of both Altman and Brockman. CNN tried to confirm these reports with OpenAI, but there’s been no response from the company.
Investors are considering legal action against OpenAI’s board
In an internal memo to OpenAI staff, the board justified Altman’s dismissal by citing a “breakdown of communication.” They claim there was no “misconduct,” and the dismissal had nothing to do with the company’s “financial, business, security, or privacy situation.” Axios and the New York Times have reported on this memo, supposedly circulated by Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer.
The present OpenAI board includes Ilya Sutskever, a lead scientist and co-founder in charge of the company’s research department. Sources suggest Sutskever played a crucial role in Altman’s removal, hinting at a power tussle between the research and product sides.
There’s news that OpenAI’s board didn’t inform investors about Altman’s planned dismissal. Allegedly, only Microsoft, the largest investor, was informed minutes before Altman was let go. Reportedly, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was quite upset about this. Investors weren’t given a chance to have a say in the board’s decision. Some major venture capital backers of OpenAI are reportedly contemplating legal action against the board.
Is Altman starting a new company?
Rumor has it that Altman and Brockman have already been discussing launching a new venture after leaving OpenAI. Quite a few senior researchers are said to have left OpenAI, and there are talks of more resignations in the pipeline. It’s expected that former OpenAI researchers and staff might join Altman in founding this new company.
Several investors of OpenAI have signaled support for Altman. Many are keen on his return, with Vinod Khosla, founder of Vinod Khosla Ventures, stating he’d back Altman “whatever he does next,” according to TechCrunch.
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