Sam Altman to return as OpenAI CEO

By Team Asianet Newsable  |  First Published Nov 22, 2023, 12:02 PM IST

Sam Altman is back as CEO of OpenAI after he was fired suddenly Friday afternoon. Former president Greg Brockman, who quit in protest of Altman’s firing, will return as well. The move follows immense pressure from employees and investors on the board that ousted him less than a week ago.


Sam Altman will return as CEO of OpenAI, overcoming an attempted boardroom coup that sent the company into chaos over the past several days. Former president Greg Brockman, who quit in protest of Altman’s firing, will return as well. The move follows immense pressure from employees and investors on the board that ousted him less than a week ago.

The startup announced the latest update on social media platform X. The company said in a statement late Tuesday that it has an “agreement in principle” for Altman to return alongside a new board composed of Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.

Tap to resize

Latest Videos

Tap to resize

Also Read | At least 500 OpenAI staff threaten to quit unless board resigns and Sam Altman returns

“We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo,” OpenAI posted on X.  “We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this,” the post added.

We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.

We are collaborating to figure out the details. Thank you so much for your patience through this.

— OpenAI (@OpenAI)

Meanwhile, Altman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella have both now tweeted about the deal to return, which appears to be a done deal minus some last minute paperwork. 

Also Read | Amazon says employees may not get promoted if they ignore return-to-office mandate

Sam Altman took to X and wrote: "i love openai, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together. when i decided to join msft on sun evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. with the new board and w satya’s support, i’m looking forward to returning to openai, and building on our strong partnership with msft." 

i love openai, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together. when i decided to join msft on sun evening, it was clear that was the best path for me and the team. with the new board and w satya’s support, i’m…

— Sam Altman (@sama)

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote: "We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board. We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance. 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."

We are encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board. We believe this is a first essential step on a path to more stable, well-informed, and effective governance. Sam, Greg, and I have talked and agreed they have a key role to play along with the OAI leadership team in ensuring… https://t.co/djO6Fuz6t9

— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella)
click me!