Top Investors at OpenAI Demand to Bring Sam Altman Back as CEO

Over the last weekend, some major drama unfolded at the artificial intelligence firm OpenAI upon the ouster of company CEO Sam Altman. However, sources familiar with the matter stated that top investors at OpenAI have been pushing to bring back Altman as the CEO.

Top supporters of OpenAI, including Microsoft, Tiger Global, and venture firm Thrive Capital, are reportedly involved in an initiative to reinstate Altman as CEO, according to an anonymous source familiar with the matter.

Additionally, Sequoia Capital has been in communication with Altman, expressing support for his future endeavors, whether it involves returning to OpenAI or launching a new startup. Sequoia has informed Microsoft of its intention to support efforts to bring back Altman and former OpenAI president Greg Brockman.

The unexpected announcement by OpenAI on Friday, terminating Altman and appointing technology chief Mira Murati as interim CEO, created ripples in Silicon Valley. OpenAI, gaining prominence with the success of its ChatGPT chatbot, has become a leading startup, attracting significant investment in the generative artificial intelligence market. The company was reportedly in discussions just last month regarding the sale of employee shares at a valuation of $86 billion.

Sam Altman Won’t Join OpenAI but Will Lead Microsoft’s AI Research Team

Amid the ongoing discussions of getting Sam Altman back as the OpenAI CEO, there have been a few major developments taking place. In an unexpected development, OpenAI’s board has opted for Emmett Shear, former Twitch CEO, as the interim chief executive officer, diverging from the anticipated return of Sam Altman.

Against a backdrop of internal conflicts and investor influence, OpenAI’s decision to appoint Shear as the interim CEO represents a notable shift from the anticipated reinstatement of Altman. The sudden removal of Altman on Friday, citing communication breakdowns, triggered a series of events culminating in Shear assuming the leadership role.

After the abrupt firing of Sam Altman from OpenAI, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella announced on Monday that Altman, Greg Brockman, and several other former colleagues from OpenAI would be joining Microsoft. This move comes after a series of intense discussions and protests following Altman’s removal. At Microsoft, the ex-OpenAI members are set to spearhead a “new advanced AI research team,” according to Nadella’s statement. Nadella added:

“We look forward to moving quickly to provide them with the resources needed for their success. We remain committed to our partnership with OpenAI and have confidence in our product roadmap, our ability to continue to innovate with everything we announced at Microsoft Ignite, and in continuing to support our customers and partners. We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI’s new leadership team and working with them”.

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