Former CEO of Open AI, Sam Altman has announced he is returning to the company he co-founded, days after its board sacked him.
Altman made the announcment in a Wednesday post on X.
The Herald had reported that Altman was fired on Friday, November 17.
Shortly after, Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella disclosed that the tech giant had hired the 38-year-old, who would be leading a new AI research division of the company.
However, in a Wednesday statement, Open AI said it has agreed to a deal with Sam Altman to return as Chief Executive Officer.
“We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return 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,” the company said.
In an X post, Altman said, “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(ith) Satya’s support, I’m looking forward to returning to OpenAI, and building on our strong partnership with msft.”
Nadella, whose Microsoft is OpenAI’s biggest backer, nodded his approval.
“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 look forward to building on our strong partnership and delivering the value of this next generation of AI to our customers and partners,” Nadella said in a reaction to Altman’s post.
While OpenAI has not explicity explained its reason for re-hiring Altman, The Herald can report that it might not be unconnected to the threat by hundreds of the company’s employees to leave, potentially for Microsoft, if OpenAI’s board didn’t resign and reinstate Altman as CEO.
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