In a series of interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg TV on [current date], Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made it clear that it is possible for Sam Altman, who was recently fired from his role as CEO at OpenAI by the AI startup’s board of directors, to return to OpenAI in some capacity. This announcement comes despite Altman’s earlier statement that he intends to join a newly formed AI research team at Microsoft alongside ex-OpenAI president Greg Brockman and several former OpenAI researchers.
A Possible Return for Sam Altman?
During his interview on CNBC, Nadella stated, "Obviously, we want Sam and Greg to have a fantastic home if they’re not going to be in OpenAI." When asked whether Altman would return to OpenAI, Nadella added, "That’s for the OpenAI board and management and the employees to choose. [Microsoft] chose to explicitly partner with OpenAI, and obviously that depends on the people at OpenAI staying there or coming to Microsoft, so I’m open to both options."
Nadella’s responses seem to confirm reporting from The Verge earlier today, which suggested that Altman’s move to Microsoft was not a done deal. According to the report, only two of OpenAI’s three remaining board members need to flip to bring back Altman. Brockman was deposed as the board’s chairman on Friday, and Altman formerly held the sixth seat.
Changes in Governance at OpenAI
Nadella also emphasized that Microsoft would want to see changes in governance at OpenAI going forward, including around investor relations. He stated, "It’s clear something has to change around the governance — we’ll have a good dialogue with their board on that, and walk through that as that evolves." This comment suggests that Microsoft is looking for a more collaborative approach between investors and the board.
The Fallout from Altman’s Firing
The firing of Sam Altman has caused widespread unrest at OpenAI. Over the weekend, OpenAI’s management team and backers began vetting candidates to replace the board for Altman’s possible return. Meanwhile, the board conducted its own CEO search, eventually settling on Emmett Shear, the co-founder of Twitch.
However, Shear’s appointment was met with resistance from employees, who reportedly refused to attend an emergency all-hands meeting scheduled on Sunday. Employees responded to the announcement in OpenAI’s Slack with a ‘fuck you’ emoji, indicating their disapproval of the board’s decision.
Employee Revolt at OpenAI
The rank-and-file at OpenAI is in widespread revolt, with more than 700 of the company’s roughly 770 employees signing a letter calling for the board to resign and reinstate Altman. Among others, Salesforce has attempted to use the unrest as a recruitment opportunity, offering matching compensation to any researcher who has quit OpenAI to join the Salesforce AI research team.
The Board’s Reluctance to Provide Reasoning
Not helping matters is the board’s reluctance to provide detailed reasoning for firing Altman. Shear stated in an interview that the decision was made due to "concerns about the leadership and direction of the company." However, this explanation has not been well-received by employees and investors.
Conclusion
The situation at OpenAI remains uncertain, with both Nadella’s comments and the ongoing unrest among employees indicating a possible return for Sam Altman. However, the board’s decision to fire Altman and the subsequent fallout will likely have far-reaching consequences for the company’s future.
Related News
