After a period of upheaval that saw the sudden removal and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI has announced his return to the board of directors, expressing "full confidence" in his leadership.
The decision follows an external investigation into the circumstances surrounding Altman's departure and subsequent reappointment in November.
According to OpenAI, the investigation conducted by the law firm WilmerHale attributed Altman's initial ouster to a breakdown in the relationship and loss of trust between him and the prior board. In response to the findings, the company has undergone significant changes, including the addition of three women to its board of directors: Sue Desmond-Hellman, Nicole Seligman, and Instacart CEO Fidji Simo.
These actions signal OpenAI's commitment to moving past internal conflicts that garnered global attention and nearly destabilized the organization. Altman expressed relief at the resolution, noting his disappointment with leaked information and efforts to sow discord within the team.
He acknowledged lessons learned from the experience and apologized for any past disputes that could have been handled differently.
The turmoil at OpenAI stemmed in part from its unique governance structure. Initially founded as a nonprofit with a mission to develop AI for the benefit of humanity, the organization has evolved into a rapidly growing business still bound to its original mission by a nonprofit board.
The investigation concluded that while the prior board acted within its discretion, Altman's conduct did not necessitate removal.
Bret Taylor, chair of the board, emphasized the breakdown in trust between the prior board and Altman, noting that the board believed its actions would address challenges but did not foresee the resulting instability. Altman's reinstatement came after widespread support from OpenAI's workforce and Microsoft, a key business partner.
The investigation, which involved numerous interviews and the review of thousands of documents, aimed to shed light on the events leading to Altman's removal and subsequent return.
Altman and his colleague Greg Brockman, who also regained his executive role, did not immediately regain their board seats but were deemed the right leaders for the company.
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