In a movie-worthy scenario, Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, made a dramatic return as CEO after being ousted just days earlier.
Last Friday, the tech world was rocked by surprising news: Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI (ChatGPT, GPT, Dall-E), was fired by his own company’s board of directors. This decision caused a real shock in the industry, especially since Sam Altman was an emblematic figure in the field of artificial intelligence.
Following his dismissal, Sam Altman initially failed in negotiations with the board and made the decision to join Microsoft, OpenAI’s main partner. This choice seemed to mark the end of his adventure with the company he had helped to found. However, the story did not end there.
The internal revolt and the negotiations
The internal reaction at OpenAI was rapid and intense. Nearly 90% of employees expressed their willingness to resign if Sam Altman was not reinstated. This wave of discontent highlighted the importance of Sam Altman within the company. Emmett Shear, the new interim CEO and co-founder of Twitch, then announced the opening of an investigation to understand the reasons for this controversial dismissal.
Finally, on Tuesday evening, a decisive turning point took place. Negotiations between OpenAI board members Sam Altman and the interim CEO resulted in an agreement in principle for the return of Sam Altman as the company’s chief executive officer (CEO). This return is supported by a new board of directors consisting of Bret Taylor as president, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
Sam Altman then made a statement on his X / Twitter account: Sam Altman expressed his love for OpenAI and his determination to continue the company’s mission. He acknowledged that his initial choice to join Microsoft was driven by what he saw as best for himself and the OpenAI team. With the support of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and increased collaboration between the two companies, Sam Altman prepares to begin a new chapter at the helm of OpenAI.
Let us remember that this story played out in just a few days, and it is not over.
Microsoft reacts
Microsoft is one of the main investors in OpenAI, and an important player in the soap opera that has played out in recent days. The company had publicly promised the hiring of Sam Altman and the creation of a subsidiary dedicated to AI. With the return of Sam Altman at the head of OpenAI, this promise no longer applies.
On Twitter, Satya Nadella, the boss of Microsoft, expresses his full support for this important change for OpenAI. By conducting these negotiations directly with Sam Altman, Microsoft has ensured unwavering loyalty from the CEO and an even closer partnership with OpenAI.