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News » Sam Altman negotiates OpenAI CEO return after shocking ouster

Sam Altman negotiates OpenAI CEO return after shocking ouster

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Sam Altman speaking on behalf of OpenAI at the APEC CEO Summit the day before he was fired. Photo from Justin Sullivan.

(Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.)

CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — Sam Altman is engaged in active discussions about returning as Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI just a day after his shocking ouster, The Verge reported on Saturday.

Altman’s potential comeback follows intense backlash over his abrupt firing on Friday and resignations of key figures like the company’s president Greg Brockman, who quit in protest through an X post.

Altman’s removal exposed internal divisions between factions focused on commercialization versus research safety.

OpenAI’s board cited issues with Altman’s communication and transparency as rationale for the surprise firing.

However, the manner of his ouster shocked many, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who was reportedly “blindsided” despite Microsoft’s $13 billion investment into OpenAI.

As negotiations continued through the weekend, Altman has reportedly insisted on governance changes as a condition of his return, including the resignation of the existing board.

Microsoft is said to be mediating talks between Altman and the board as they work to select replacement directors.

Altman’s return could stabilize OpenAI after a tumultuous week that saw high-level resignations, including chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, who reportedly spearheaded the move to oust Altman.

But negotiations remain fluid, and the board makeup and Altman’s role are still unresolved.

“I loved my time at OpenAI,” Altman said in a post on X. In a follow-up post, he described the experience of his firing as “sorta like reading your own eulogy while you’re still alive.”

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