Three months after Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, was briefly ousted by the board of directors, questions remain about what led to this move. An upcoming report from an outside law firm might provide more insight into the decision, as well as the tumultuous five days before Altman’s return.
Unreported details have emerged about Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, and her role in Altman’s ouster. Murati wrote a memo to Altman expressing concerns about his management style and shared these with the board, influencing their decision. Similarly, co-founder Ilya Sutskever cited manipulative behavior from Altman, leading to a strained relationship.
While both Murati and Sutskever initially supported Altman’s return publicly, behind the scenes, there were apprehensions about the toxic work environment he allegedly created. WilmerHale’s investigation is expected to conclude soon, shedding light on the events surrounding Altman’s dismissal.
Following Altman’s reinstatement, the board agreed to diversify its composition, adding new members to ensure independence and transparency. Concerns were raised about the OpenAI Startup Fund, which Altman controlled outside the nonprofit’s governance structure.
Ultimately, Altman was ousted as CEO amid growing concerns from executives and board members. After a public battle, Altman was reinstated, but the fallout from the incident continues to linger at OpenAI. The company hopes to move on from the turbulent events of November and focus on moving forward.
