Sam Altman Returns As OpenAI CEO. Here's What He Said About Ousted Board Members

Altman expressed excitement about the future and his commitment to building beneficial Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with the OpenAI team.

Sam Altman has now resumed his role as the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, effectively resolving the crisis triggered by his abrupt termination on November 17 by the board of directors. The board, responsible for his dismissal, underwent a substantial overhaul following a rebellion by the workforce, with the exception of Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora, who played a role in Altman's firing but has retained his position on the board.

Altman, upon his return, extended a conciliatory message to Ilya Sutskever, an ousted AI scientist and initially a participant in the effort to remove Altman. In a blog post, Altman expressed love and respect for Sutskever, acknowledging him as a guiding light in the field. Despite Sutskever's removal from the board, Altman affirmed the intention to continue their working relationship, exploring avenues for Sutskever to contribute to OpenAI's endeavours.

Expressing gratitude to those involved in the resolution, Altman thanked Adam, Tasha, and Helen for their collaboration. He highlighted the efforts of Helen and Tasha in particular, recognising their substantial contributions to the resolution process. Altman also acknowledged Emmett for playing a key and constructive role in reaching the positive outcome.

In a notable development, OpenAI's co-founder Greg Brockman, who had previously left the company alongside Altman, returned to assume the role of President. Altman emphasised the partnership between himself and Brockman, acknowledging their collaborative efforts.

The restructured board now comprises Bret Taylor as Chair, Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo. Altman expressed optimism about the future, lauding the resilience of the OpenAI team during the challenging period. He commended the entire team for standing firm, emphasising their commitment to the company and its mission. Altman acknowledged the team's ability to navigate stressful situations and maintain sound judgment throughout the crisis.

What's Next For OpenAI?

Looking ahead, Altman outlined three immediate priorities: advancing the research plan and increasing investment in full-stack safety efforts, improving and deploying products to serve customers, and enhancing governance structures with a focus on diverse perspectives. He also announced plans for an independent review of recent events.

Reflecting on the turbulent events, Altman expressed excitement about the future and his commitment to building beneficial Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with the OpenAI team. He emphasised their collective status as the best team on a global scale with the most significant mission.