OpenAI’s investors are urging the company’s board of directors to restore Sam Altman as CEO, just a day after he was ousted from the position. The Verge initially reported on Altman’s potential return, which has yet to be independently confirmed. Reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal indicate that investors, such as Thrive Capital, are pressuring the board to reinstate Altman and have also approached Microsoft about the matter.
Altman’s abrupt dismissal sent shockwaves through the tech world. The OpenAI board claimed to have lost confidence in Altman’s ability to lead and cited concerns about his lack of candor in communications as reasons for his removal. Altman has reportedly set conditions for his potential return, including demands for a new board, and is also considering starting a new company with former OpenAI employees or launching a new artificial intelligence venture.
In the wake of Altman’s departure, Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, has been appointed as the interim CEO. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s president and co-founder, Greg Brockman, has stepped down from his position but is apparently in discussions with board members to return to the company. Despite all this, spokespeople for OpenAI, Microsoft, and Thrive Capital have not issued any immediate comment on the matter.