OpenAI CEO Altman Rejoins Board with Addition of Three New Directors

The board of directors of OpenAI announced after an independent review that the company's co-founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, are "suitable leaders." This conclusion was reached four months after the board made a shocking decision to remove Altman as CEO, which caused dissatisfaction among employees and turmoil in the leadership.

The board stated that, after a careful evaluation of the investigation results conducted by WilmerHale law firm, they have "full confidence" in Sam Altman and Greg Brockman's ability to continue leading OpenAI. Altman will rejoin the board and assume the role of CEO.

This review was commissioned by a special committee of the board in December of last year and involved interviews with dozens of witnesses, including former board members, executives, and advisors, as well as an in-depth analysis of over 30,000 documents. The purpose of the investigation was to uncover the truth behind the controversial decision made by the board on November 17th last year to dismiss Altman and remove Brockman as chairman.

WilmerHale law firm found in the investigation that the former board believed their actions would alleviate the internal management issues caused by the "breakdown of trust" between them and Altman. However, they "did not anticipate that this action would disrupt the stability of the company."

Importantly, the investigators determined that Altman's behavior "was not sufficient grounds for his dismissal." Instead, they criticized the former board for acting hastily, "without prior notice to key stakeholders, conducting a comprehensive investigation, or giving Altman an opportunity to address their concerns."

In addition, OpenAI has appointed three outstanding new directors to join the board: former CEO of the Gates Foundation, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former Sony executive Nicole Seligman, and Instacart CEO Fidji Simo. They will join recently appointed members Larry Summers and Bret Taylor, replacing several directors who resigned after Altman's return.