OpenAI, the company behind popular chatbot ChatGPT announced the reinstatement of Sam Altman as Chief Executive Officer to the board of directors. They affirm their unwavering confidence in Altman following an investigation into the events surrounding his sudden removal last year.
Sam Altman was abruptly fired as CEO of OpenAI last year and was later reinstated to the position following a tumultuous ballet with the company’s board.
WilmerHale, a law firm, conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sam Altman’s dismissal in November. Following this inquiry, OpenAI has implemented new governance regulations and reinforced its conflict of interest policy. Additionally, the board unanimously expressed its support for Altman’s leadership.
Altman will be joined on the board by three other newly appointed directors: Sue Desmond-Hellmann, who previously served as CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, former president of Sony Entertainment; and Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart.
WilmerHale’s investigation concluded that Altman’s termination was not due to concerns regarding OpenAI’s finances, product safety, or any other issues.
“WilmerHale found that the prior Board believed at the time that its actions would mitigate internal management challenges and did not anticipate that its actions would destabilise the Company,” OpenAI said in a blogpost.
Reacting to the reinstatement, Altman said,”I’m pleased this whole thing is over.”
“It’s been disheartening to see some people with an agenda trying to use leaks in the press to hurt the company, hurt the mission,” added Altman.
With agency inputs