Sam Altman rejoins OpenAI board with three new directors

OpenAI announced on Friday that its Chief Executive Sam Altman is set to return to the board of the company, alongside three new directors. This decision follows an internal investigation conducted by law firm WilmerHale, which delved into the circumstances surrounding Altman’s firing in November.

The board expressed unanimous support for Altman’s leadership, leading to his reinstatement. Alongside Altman, the new directors joining OpenAI’s board include notable figures such as Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, former EVP and Global General Counsel of Sony, and President of Sony Entertainment; and Fidji Simo, CEO and Chair of Instacart.

These additions will complement the existing board members, including Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora; former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers; and Chairman Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce.

The investigation concluded that Altman’s dismissal was not linked to financial or product safety concerns but rather stemmed from a breakdown in trust between him and the previous board. Altman himself expressed optimism about the board’s fresh composition, highlighting the significant tasks ahead.

In a blog post, the creator of ChatGPT said:

“WilmerHale found that the prior Board believed at the time that its actions would mitigate internal management challenges and did not anticipate that its actions would destabilize the Company.”

The company also added: “WilmerHale found that the prior Board acted within its broad discretion to terminate Mr. Altman, but also found that his conduct did not mandate removal.”

OpenAI also pledged to broaden its board further down the line. The swift reversal of Altman’s ousting had initially shocked employees, investors, and Microsoft, OpenAI’s primary financial supporter, Reuters reported.

Moving forward, OpenAI is implementing new governance measures, including a whistleblower hotline and reinforced conflict-of-interest policies. However, specific details regarding these enhancements remain scarce.

The tech community eagerly awaits the next steps for OpenAI under Altman’s renewed stewardship and the guidance of its reconfigured board.

Funded in 2015 by Sam Altman and Elon Musk, OpenAI started as a non-profit research institution aimed to pave the way for safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, in 2020, it transitioned into a commercial entity, marking a significant shift in its trajectory. Despite internal disruptions in November, including Altman’s temporary departure and subsequent return, the company remains at the forefront of the burgeoning AI market, spurred by the successful launch of ChatGPT in 2022.