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Sam Altman Reinstated as OpenAI CEO After Turmoil
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Sam Altman has been reinstated as CEO of OpenAI,the artificial intelligence research and deployment company,following a period of intense upheaval that saw his brief ouster and subsequent negotiations. The agreement, reached on November 22, 2023, also includes a new initial board of directors. This follows a chaotic week where Altman was first fired by the board, then courted by Microsoft, before ultimately returning to lead the company.
OpenAI Leadership and Board Changes
Definition / Direct Answer: Sam Altman was initially removed as CEO of OpenAI on November 17, 2023, but reinstated on November 22, 2023, after notable pressure from investors and employees.
Detail: The initial removal stemmed from concerns raised by the board regarding Altman’s candor in his communications with them. Chief Scientist Ilya sutskever was a key figure in the decision to remove Altman, citing a lack of consistent openness. However, this decision was met with widespread criticism and a strong response from Microsoft, OpenAI’s primary investor, which afterward offered Altman a role within its own AI division. The rapid reversal came after intense negotiations facilitated by Bret Taylor,OpenAI’s chair of the board.
Example or Evidence: Bret Taylor announced the reinstatement in a blog post on November 22, 2023, stating, “We have reached an agreement that is in the best interests of OpenAI, our partners, and our investors.”
Microsoft’s Role in the OpenAI Crisis
Definition / direct answer: Microsoft offered Sam Altman and Greg Brockman positions within the company following Altman’s removal from OpenAI, demonstrating the significant value Microsoft places on thier expertise.
Detail: Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, announced the offer on November 20, 2023, stating that microsoft was committed to OpenAI’s success and saw Altman and Brockman as critical to the future of AI. This move was widely interpreted as a pressure tactic to encourage OpenAI’s board to reconsider its decision. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI and relies heavily on its technology for its own AI products.
Example or Evidence: Satya Nadella’s statement regarding Altman and brockman joining Microsoft is detailed in a Microsoft News Centre press release published on November 20, 2023.
New OpenAI Board of Directors
Definition / Direct Answer: A new initial board of directors for OpenAI was established as part of the agreement for Sam Altman’s reinstatement, consisting of Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
Detail: The new board aims to provide more stable governance for OpenAI. Bret Taylor, formerly co-CEO of Salesforce, will serve as chair. Larry Summers, a prominent economist and former U.S. Treasury Secretary,brings financial and policy expertise. Adam D’Angelo, a current board member and CEO of Quora, is the only member of the previous board to remain. The previous board members, including Ilya Sutskever, have stepped down.
Example or Evidence: The composition of the new board was officially announced by OpenAI in a news release on November 22, 2023.
Ilya Sutskever’s Role and Departure
Definition / Direct Answer: Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s Chief Scientist, was a key driver behind Sam Altman’s initial removal, but has as expressed regret and left the company.
Detail: Sutskever reportedly felt altman was not being straightforward in his responses to the board’s questions about the potential dangers of artificial general intelligence (AGI). He signed the letter initiating Altman’s removal. However, following the reinstatement, Sutskever publicly expressed regret and announced his departure from OpenAI. He has not publicly detailed the specific concerns that led to his actions.
Example or Evidence: The Wall Street Journal reported on Sutskever’s role and subsequent departure in an article published on November 27,2023:
