removal of Sam Altman from OpenAI

{{Main|OpenAI}}

OpenAI is an artificial intelligence firm founded in December 2015 as a non-profit entity.{{Cite web |url=https://slate.com/technology/2023/11/sam-altman-fired-openai-mira-murati.html |title=Everything We Know About OpenAI's Shocking Ouster of Sam Altman |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Pahwa |first=Nitish |work=Slate |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118001545/https://slate.com/technology/2023/11/sam-altman-fired-openai-mira-murati.html |url-status=live }} The for-profit division of the organization released the chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022,{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ousted-as-board-no-longer-has-confidence-in-his-leadership-204924006.html |title=OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman as 'board no longer has confidence' in his leadership |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Tarantola |first=Andrew |work=Engadget |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118000750/https://www.engadget.com/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ousted-as-board-no-longer-has-confidence-in-his-leadership-204924006.html |url-status=live }} contributing to a resurgence in generative artificial intelligence funding.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/openai-investors-push-bring-altman-back-ceo-one-day-was-ousted-board-rcna125884 |title=OpenAI investors push to bring Altman back as CEO one day after he was ousted by board |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Goswami |first1=Rohan |last2=Novet |first2=Jordan |publisher=NBC News |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119150129/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/openai-investors-push-bring-altman-back-ceo-one-day-was-ousted-board-rcna125884 |url-status=live }} The board of directors of the controlling non-profit formerly comprised chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, as well as Adam D'Angelo, chief executive of Quora, entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner, strategy director for the Center for Security and Emerging Technology.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/openai-ceo-sam-altman-chatgpt-fired-1235617257/ |title=OpenAI CEO Sam Altman In Discussions To Return After His Shock Ouster |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |last2=Tapp |first2=Tom |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117230917/https://deadline.com/2023/11/openai-ceo-sam-altman-chatgpt-fired-1235617257/ |url-status=live }} As of October 2023, the company is valued at {{USD|80}} billion{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67461363 |title=Sam Altman: The extraordinary firing of an AI superstar |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Kleinman |first=Zoe |publisher=BBC News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118105223/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67461363 |url-status=live }} and was set to bring in {{USD|1}} billion in revenue.{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/sam-altman-steps-role-ceo-openai/story?id=104988104 |title=Sam Altman steps down from role as CEO of OpenAI |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Zahn |first=Max |publisher=ABC News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118021150/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/sam-altman-steps-role-ceo-openai/story?id=104988104 |url-status=live }} Altman has described OpenAI's relationship with Microsoft as the "best bromance in tech".{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/technology/openai-microsoft-altman-nadella.html |title=How Microsoft's Satya Nadella Kept the 'Best Bromance in Tech' Alive |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Weise |first=Karen |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120215932/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/technology/openai-microsoft-altman-nadella.html |url-status=live }}

OpenAI is uniquely{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/sam-altman-open-ai.html |title=Many Details of Sam Altman's Ouster Are Murky. But Some Things Are Clear. |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Roose |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin Roose |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118154149/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/sam-altman-open-ai.html |url-status=live }} structured, an intentional decision to avoid investor control.{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/21/inside-openais-weird-governance-structure |title=Inside OpenAI's weird governance structure |date=November 21, 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121060027/https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/21/inside-openais-weird-governance-structure |url-status=live }} A board of directors controls the non-profit OpenAI, Inc. The non-profit owns and controls a for-profit company itself controlling a capped-profit company, OpenAI Global, LLC and a holding company owned by employees and other investors. The holding company is the majority owner of OpenAI Global, LLC.; Microsoft owns a minority stake in the capped-profit company.{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/how-openai-board-is-structured |title=How OpenAI is structured |date=November 18, 2023 |work=Axios |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119060452/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/how-openai-board-is-structured |url-status=live }} OpenAI's bylaws, enacted in January 2016, allow a majority of its board of directors to remove any director without prior warning or a formal meeting with written consent.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/openai-bizarre-structure-4-people-the-power-to-fire-sam-altman/ |title=How OpenAI's Bizarre Structure Gave 4 People the Power to Fire Sam Altman |date=November 19, 2023 |last=Dave |first=Paresh |magazine=Wired |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119220230/https://www.wired.com/story/openai-bizarre-structure-4-people-the-power-to-fire-sam-altman/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Sam Altman}}

Sam Altman is a co-founder of OpenAI and its former chief executive; Altman took over the company following co-chair Elon Musk's resignation in 2018. Under Altman, OpenAI has shifted to becoming a for-profit entity. Altman is credited with convincing Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella with investing {{USD|10}} billion in cash and computing credits into OpenAI and leading several tender offer transactions that tripled the company's valuation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/ousting-ceo-sam-altman-chatgpt-loses-its-best-fundraiser-2023-11-18/ |title=In ousting CEO Sam Altman, ChatGPT loses its best fundraiser |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Bensinger |first=Greg |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118023738/https://www.reuters.com/technology/ousting-ceo-sam-altman-chatgpt-loses-its-best-fundraiser-2023-11-18/ |url-status=live }} Altman testified before the United States Congress speaking critically of artificial intelligence{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/17/tech/sam-altman-departs-open-ai/index.html |title=ChatGPT parent company OpenAI fires CEO Sam Altman |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Murphy Kelly |first=Samantha |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118001052/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/17/tech/sam-altman-departs-open-ai/index.html |url-status=live }} and appeared at the 2023 AI Safety Summit.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67458603 |title=AI boss Sam Altman ousted after board loses confidence |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Kleinman |first=Zoe |publisher=BBC News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117224333/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67458603 |url-status=live }}

In the days leading up to his removal, Altman made several public appearances, announcing the GPT-4 Turbo platform at OpenAI's DevDay conference, attending APEC United States 2023, and speaking at an event related to Burning Man.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-ceo-sam-altman-step-down-2023-11-17/ |title=ChatGPT maker OpenAI ousts CEO Sam Altman |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Dastin |first1=Jeffrey |last2=Tong |first2=Anna |last3=A |first3=Samrhitha |last4=Hu |first4=Krystal |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118001252/https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-ceo-sam-altman-step-down-2023-11-17/ |url-status=live }}

The resignation of LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, venture capitalist Shivon Zilis, and former Republican representative Will Hurd from the board allowed the remaining members to remove Altman. According to Kara Swisher and The Wall Street Journal,{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ilya-sutskever-the-openai-genius-who-told-sam-altman-he-was-fired-26a3381c |title=Ilya Sutskever: The OpenAI Genius Who Told Sam Altman He Was Fired Sutskever |date=November 21, 2023 |last=McMillan |first=Robert |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121122720/https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ilya-sutskever-the-openai-genius-who-told-sam-altman-he-was-fired-26a3381c |url-status=live }} Sutskever was instrumental in Altman's removal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23966446/what-happened-to-sam-altman-open-ai |title=What happened to Sam Altman? |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Heath |first=Alex |work=The Verge |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118035251/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23966446/what-happened-to-sam-altman-open-ai |url-status=live }} Disagreements over the safety of artificial intelligence divided employees prior to Altman's removal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/before-openai-ousted-altman-employees-disagreed-over-ai-safety |title=Before OpenAI Ousted Altman, Employees Disagreed Over AI 'Safety' |last1=Victor |first1=Jon |last2=Palazollo |first2=Stephanie |last3=Gardizy |first3=Anissa |work=The Information |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118025046/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/before-openai-ousted-altman-employees-disagreed-over-ai-safety |url-status=live }} The release of ChatGPT created divisions with OpenAI as a for-profit company without considerations for the safety of artificial intelligence and a non-profit cautious of artificial intelligence's capabilities; in a staff email sent in 2019 and obtained by The Atlantic, Altman referred to these divisions as "tribes".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/11/sam-altman-open-ai-chatgpt-chaos/676050/ |title=Inside the Chaos at OpenAI |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Hao |first1=Karen |last2=Warzel |first2=Charlie |work=The Atlantic |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120022027/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/11/sam-altman-open-ai-chatgpt-chaos/676050/ |url-status=live }}

Prior to his removal, Altman was seeking billions from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds to develop an artificial intelligence chip to compete with Nvidia and courted SoftBank chairman Masayoshi Son to develop artificial intelligence hardware with former Apple designer Jony Ive. Sutskever and his allies opposed these efforts, viewing them as unjustly using the OpenAI name. Altman reduced Sutskever's role in October 2023, furthering divisions; Sutskever successfully appealed to several members of the board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-altman-ouster-followed-debates-between-altman-board |title=Silicon Valley Boardroom Coup Leads to Ouster of an AI Champion |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Miller |first1=Hannah |last2=Stone |first2=Brad |last3=Ghaffary |first3=Shirin |last4=Vance |first4=Ashlee |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118035756/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-altman-ouster-followed-debates-between-altman-board |url-status=live }} Swisher and The Verge reporter Alex Heath stated that opposition to Altman's profit-driven strategy culminated in the DevDay conference{{Cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/11/why-was-sam-altman-fired-as-ceo-of-openai.html |title=Why Was Sam Altman Fired As CEO of OpenAI? |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Danner |first=Chas |work=Intelligencer |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112202535/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/11/why-was-sam-altman-fired-as-ceo-of-openai.html |url-status=live }} in which Altman announced custom ChatGPT instances.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/18/tech/openai-sam-altman-shakeup-what-happened/index.html |title=OpenAI drama continues: Sam Altman may be mulling a return to the company |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Fung |first=Brian |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118173107/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/18/tech/openai-sam-altman-shakeup-what-happened/index.html |url-status=live }} According to Axios, the removal was driven by growing discontent and distrust with Altman.{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/openai-board-thinking-sam-altman |title=What OpenAI's board was thinking |date=November 21, 2023 |last=Fried |first=Ina |work=Axios |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121230837/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/openai-board-thinking-sam-altman |url-status=live }}

On November 22, 2023, reports emerged suggesting that Sam Altman's dismissal from OpenAI might be linked to his alleged mishandling of a significant breakthrough in the organization's secretive project codenamed Q*. According to sources within OpenAI, Q* is aimed at developing AI capabilities in logical and mathematical reasoning, and reportedly involves performing math on the level of grade-school students.{{cite news|title=Exclusive: OpenAI researchers warned board of AI breakthrough ahead of CEO ouster, sources say|author=Anna Tong|author2=Jeffrey Dastin|author3=Krystal Hu|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-altmans-ouster-openai-was-precipitated-by-letter-board-about-ai-breakthrough-2023-11-22|date=November 22, 2023|quote=Some at OpenAI believe Q* (pronounced Q-Star) could be a breakthrough in the startup's search for what's known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), one of the people told Reuters. OpenAI defines AGI as autonomous systems that surpass humans in most economically valuable tasks.|access-date=January 9, 2024|archive-date=November 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123045247/https://www.reuters.com/technology/sam-altmans-ouster-openai-was-precipitated-by-letter-board-about-ai-breakthrough-2023-11-22/|url-status=live}} Concerns about Altman's response to this development, specifically regarding the potential safety implications of the discovery, were reportedly raised to the company's board shortly before his firing.

A report from The Washington Post in December stated that OpenAI's board of directors were concerned over Altman's allegedly abusive behavior; the complaints were purportedly a major factor in his removal. The Post previously reported that Altman's alleged pattern of deception and subversiveness that ostensibly resulted in his removal from Y Combinator ultimately resulted in the board's decision to remove him.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/22/sam-altman-fired-y-combinator-paul-graham/ |title=Altman's polarizing past hints at OpenAI board's reason for firing him |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Dwoskin |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Tiku |first2=Nitasha |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123074819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/22/sam-altman-fired-y-combinator-paul-graham/ |url-status=live }}

{{Tweet

| name = Sam Altman

| username = sama

| text = i loved my time at openai. it was transformative for me personally, and hopefully the world a little bit.

| date = November 17, 2023

| reference = {{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23965982/openai-ceo-sam-altman-fired |title=Sam Altman fired as CEO of OpenAI |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |last2=Heath |first2=Alex |work=The Verge |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117205233/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23965982/openai-ceo-sam-altman-fired |url-status=live }}

| image = Sam Altman TechCrunch SF 2019 Day 2 Oct 3 (cropped) (cropped).jpg

| width = 20%

| align = right

}}

On November 17, 2023, at approximately noon PST,{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/sam-altman-was-shocked-and-saddened-by-openais-decision-to-fire-him-051538582.html |title=Sam Altman was 'shocked and saddened' after he was fired as CEO of OpenAI |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Moon |first=Mariella |work=Engadget |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118060257/https://www.engadget.com/sam-altman-was-shocked-and-saddened-by-openais-decision-to-fire-him-051538582.html |url-status=live }} OpenAI's board of directors ousted Altman effective immediately following a "deliberative review process". The board concluded that Altman was not "consistently candid in his communications".{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/17/openai-ceo-resigns/ |title=OpenAI CEO Sam Altman ousted, shocking AI world |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=De Vynck |first1=Gerrit |last2=Tiku |first2=Nitasha |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118084550/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/17/openai-ceo-resigns/ |url-status=live }} Altman was informed of his removal five to ten minutes before it occurred{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/openai-potentially-considering-reinstating-its-freshly-ousted-ceo-sam-altman-051223213.html |title=OpenAI reportedly considering reinstating just-ousted CEO Sam Altman |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Tarantola |first=Andrew |work=Engadget |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119062354/https://www.engadget.com/openai-potentially-considering-reinstating-its-freshly-ousted-ceo-sam-altman-051223213.html |url-status=live }} on a Google Meet{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-board-being-pressed-by-some-investors-to-reinstate-altman |title=Sam Altman's Friends and Foes: Who's Who in OpenAI Drama |date=November 19, 2023 |last=Duffy |first=Kate |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118235727/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-board-being-pressed-by-some-investors-to-reinstate-altman |url-status=live }} while watching the Las Vegas Grand Prix.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/altman-firing-openai-520a3a8c |title=Behind the Scenes of Sam Altman's Wild Ouster From OpenAI |date=November 21, 2023 |last1=Hagey |first1=Keech |last2=Seetharaman |first2=Deepa |last3=Jin |first3=Berber |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122002607/https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/altman-firing-openai-520a3a8c |url-status=live }} Within thirty minutes,{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/22/tech/openai-sam-altman-chaos-explained-intl-hnk/index.html |title=OpenAI's wild week. How the Sam Altman story unfolded |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Duffy |first1=Clare |last2=Madhok |first2=Diksha |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123031547/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/22/tech/openai-sam-altman-chaos-explained-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }} Sutskever invited OpenAI chairman and president Greg Brockman to a Google Meet to inform him of Altman's removal. According to an internal memo obtained by Axios, the removal was not due to "malfeasance",{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/openai-memo-altman-firing-malfeasance-communications-breakdown |title=No "malfeasance" behind Sam Altman's firing, OpenAI memo says |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Fried |first1=Ina |last2=Rosenberg |first2=Scott |work=Axios |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118184909/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/openai-memo-altman-firing-malfeasance-communications-breakdown |url-status=live }} and OpenAI chief executive Emmett Shear denied accusations that the removal was due to disagreements.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/11/20/23969589/openai-sam-altman-fired-microsoft-chatgpt-emmett-shear-silicon-valley |title=Why OpenAI blew up — and why it matters |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Morrison |first1=Sara |last2=Kafka |first2=Peter |work=Vox |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120223111/https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/11/20/23969589/openai-sam-altman-fired-microsoft-chatgpt-emmett-shear-silicon-valley |url-status=live }} The board publicly announced Altman's removal thirty minutes later.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/tech/openai-sam-altman-what-happened |title=OpenAI's wild 60 hours: Here's what happened |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Duffy |first=Clare |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121022757/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/tech/openai-sam-altman-what-happened/ |url-status=live }}

Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati was immediately appointed to interim chief executive officer. Hours after Altman's removal, Brockman resigned as chairman,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23966277/openai-co-founder-greg-brockman-leaving |title=OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman is leaving, too |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118003259/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/17/23966277/openai-co-founder-greg-brockman-leaving |url-status=live }} joined by director of research Jakub Pachocki and researchers {{ill|Aleksander Mądry|pl}} and Szymon Sidor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/three-senior-openai-researchers-resign-as-crisis-deepens |title=Three Senior OpenAI Researchers Resign as Crisis Deepens |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Victor |first1=Jon |last2=Efrati |first2=Amir |work=The Information |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118065056/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/three-senior-openai-researchers-resign-as-crisis-deepens |url-status=live }} During an all-hands meeting, Sutskever defended the ouster and denied accusations of a hostile takeover. An OpenAI representative requested former board member Will Hurd's presence.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/technology/sam-altman-openai-board.html |title=Talks to Bring Sam Altman Back to OpenAI Stretch Through Weekend |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Isaac |first1=Mike |last2=Metz |first2=Cade |last3=Mickle |first3=Tripp |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119221105/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/technology/sam-altman-openai-board.html |url-status=live }}

Tiger Global Management and Sequoia Capital had attempted to reinstate Altman, according to The Information;{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/altman-decision-looms-as-sequoia-tiger-negotiate-behind-scenes |title=If Sam Altman Returns to OpenAI, Board Will Go |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Clark |first1=Kate |last2=Mascarenhas |first2=Natasha |work=The Information |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119040201/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/altman-decision-looms-as-sequoia-tiger-negotiate-behind-scenes |url-status=live }} Bloomberg News reported that Microsoft and Thrive Capital were seeking Altman's reinstatement.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-board-being-pressed-by-some-investors-to-reinstate-altman |title=OpenAI Board Pressed by Microsoft, Investors to Restore Altman |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Chang |first1=Emily |last2=Vance |first2=Ashlee |last3=Ludlow |first3=Edward |last4=Bass |first4=Dina |author-link1=Emily Chang (journalist) |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118235727/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-board-being-pressed-by-some-investors-to-reinstate-altman |url-status=live }} On November 18, The Verge reported that OpenAI's board of directors discussed reinstating Altman. The board agreed in principle to resign and to allow Altman to return, but missed the deadline.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo |title=OpenAI board in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Heath |first1=Alex |last2=Patel |first2=Nilay |author-link2=Nilay Patel |work=The Verge |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118225333/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/18/23967199/breaking-openai-board-in-discussions-with-sam-altman-to-return-as-ceo |url-status=live }} According to The Verge, Altman was ambivalent about returning and would seek significant changes to the company,{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/11/breaking-sam-altman-reportedly-in-talks-for-potential-return-as-openai-ceo/ |title=OpenAI board attempts to hit "Ctrl-Z" in talks with Altman to return as CEO |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Edwards |first=Benj |work=Ars Technica |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119004814/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/11/breaking-sam-altman-reportedly-in-talks-for-potential-return-as-openai-ceo/ |url-status=live }} including replacing the board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/openai-trying-to-get-sam-altman-back-4b728049 |title=OpenAI Investors Trying to Get Sam Altman Back as CEO After Sudden Firing |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Hagey |first1=Keach |last2=Jin |first2=Berber |last3=Seetharaman |first3=Deepa |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118233153/https://www.wsj.com/tech/openai-trying-to-get-sam-altman-back-4b728049 |url-status=live }} A list of directors had been prepared by investors in the event that the board steps down, and purportedly included former Salesforce executive Bret Taylor. According to chief strategy officer Jason Kwon, OpenAI was optimistic it could return Altman, Brockman, and other employees.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-19/openai-optimistic-on-return-of-altman-brockman-information |title=OpenAI 'Optimistic' on Return of Altman, Brockman: Information |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Wei Wong |first=Yi |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119070531/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-19/openai-optimistic-on-return-of-altman-brockman-information |url-status=live }}

On November 19, Altman and Brockman appeared at OpenAI's headquarters to negotiate, mediated by Nadella. According to Bloomberg News, Murati, Kwon, and chief operating officer Brad Lightcap were pushing for a new board of directors; it was required that the board absolve him of wrongdoing in order for Altman to be reinstated. Taylor was expected be a member of the new board{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-19/openai-negotiations-to-reinstate-altman-hit-snag-over-board-role |title=OpenAI Negotiations to Reinstate Altman Hit Snag Over Board Role |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Chang |first1=Emily |last2=Ludlow |first2=Edward |last3=Metz |first3=Richard |last4=Bass |first4=Dina |author-link1=Emily Chang (journalist) |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119203526/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-19/openai-negotiations-to-reinstate-altman-hit-snag-over-board-role |url-status=live }} and Microsoft had also attempted to gain a seat.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-eyes-seat-on-openais-revamped-board |title=Microsoft Eyes Seat on OpenAI's Revamped Board |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Holmes |first1=Aaron |last2=Clark |first2=Kate |work=The Information |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120001527/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-eyes-seat-on-openais-revamped-board |url-status=live }} The Wall Street Journal reported that Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky and businesswoman Laurene Powell Jobs were also considered.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-leadership-hangs-in-balance-as-sam-altmans-counte-rebellion-gains-steam-47276fa8 |title=OpenAI Leadership Hangs in Balance as Sam Altman's Counter-Rebellion Gains Steam |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Jin |first1=Berber |last2=Seetharaman |first2=Deepa |last3=Dotan |first3=Tom |last4=Hagey |first4=Keach |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120042759/https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/openai-leadership-hangs-in-balance-as-sam-altmans-counte-rebellion-gains-steam-47276fa8 |url-status=live }} Murati had intended to rehire Altman and Brockman, discussing the move with Adam D'Angelo.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/openai-s-murati-aims-to-re-hire-altman-brockman-after-exits |title=OpenAI's Murati Aims to Re-Hire Altman, Brockman After Exits |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Vance |first1=Ashlee |last2=Bass |first2=Dina |last3=Ludlow |first3=Edward |last4=Chang |first4=Emily |author-link4=Emily Chang (journalist) |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120043038/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/openai-s-murati-aims-to-re-hire-altman-brockman-after-exits |url-status=live }} The Verge reported that Altman intended to return to OpenAI with support from Sutskever.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23969586/sam-altman-plotting-return-open-ai-microsoft |title=Sam Altman is still trying to return as OpenAI CEO |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Heath |first1=Alex |last2=Patel |first2=Nilay |author-link2=Nilay Patel |work=The Verge |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120191138/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23969586/sam-altman-plotting-return-open-ai-microsoft |url-status=live }}

The board chose to name former Twitch chief executive Emmett Shear as OpenAI's chief executive{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23967515/sam-altman-openai-board-fired-new-ceo |title=The deal to bring Sam Altman back to OpenAI has fallen apart |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Patel |first1=Nilay |last2=Heath |first2=Alex |author-link1=Nilay Patel |work=The Verge |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120053238/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23967515/sam-altman-openai-board-fired-new-ceo |url-status=live }} instead of reinstating Altman. Former GitHub chief executive Nat Friedman and Scale AI chief executive Alex Wang reportedly rejected executive offers from the board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/former-github-chief-nat-friedman-declined-openai-interim-ceo-role |title=Former GitHub CEO Friedman, Scale AI Founder Wang Declined OpenAI Top Job |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Clark |first1=Kate |last2=Mascarenhas |first2=Natasha |work=The Information |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120213250/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/former-github-chief-nat-friedman-declined-openai-interim-ceo-role |url-status=live }} Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/anthropic-goes-it-alone |title=Anthropic Goes It Alone |date=November 21, 2023 |last=Palazollo |first=Stephanie |work=The Information |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223200121/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/anthropic-goes-it-alone |url-status=live }} refused to negotiate a deal that could have led to a merge of the two companies.{{cite news |last1=Dastin |first1=Jeffrey |title=OpenAI's board approached Anthropic CEO about top job and merger |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-board-approached-anthropic-ceo-about-top-job-merger-sources-2023-11-21/ |work=Reuters |access-date=2023-11-22 |archive-date=2023-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121203624/https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-board-approached-anthropic-ceo-about-top-job-merger-sources-2023-11-21/ |url-status=live }} In response, Microsoft appointed Altman as the chief executive of an artificial intelligence research team,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23968829/microsoft-hires-sam-altman-greg-brockman-employees-openai |title=Microsoft hires former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Warren |first=Tom |work=The Verge |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120133123/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23968829/microsoft-hires-sam-altman-greg-brockman-employees-openai |url-status=live }} joined by Brockman, Pachocki, Sidor, and Madry.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/business/openai-staff-exodus-turmoil.html |title=Threat of OpenAI Staff Exodus Leaves Its Future Uncertain |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Metz |first1=Cade |last2=Mickle |first2=Tripp |last3=Isaac |first3=Mike |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120193057/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/20/business/openai-staff-exodus-turmoil.html/ |url-status=live }} Shear expressed interest in commercializing OpenAI with the board's support{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/20/openai-sam-altman-emmett-shear-ceo-nonprofit |title=How tensions over profitability at OpenAI turned into a full-blown crisis |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Salmon |first=Felix |work=Axios |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120172020/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/20/openai-sam-altman-emmett-shear-ceo-nonprofit |url-status=live }} and stated his intentions to begin an investigation into Altman's removal.{{Cite web |url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4318505-new-openai-ceo-investigating-sam-altman-firing/ |title=New OpenAI CEO investigating Sam Altman firing |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Klar |first=Rebecca |work=The Hill |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122062344/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4318505-new-openai-ceo-investigating-sam-altman-firing/ |url-status=live }}

Dozens of employees announced their resignations in response to Shear's accession. The next day, a letter signed by 745{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/openai-sam-altman-microsoft-satya-nadella |title=OpenAI's drama has two likely endings. Microsoft will like either one |last=Fried |first=Ina |work=Axios |access-date=November 21, 2023}} of OpenAI's 770 employees threatened mass resignations if the board does not resign; among the signatories was board member Sutskever, who defected from the board and publicly apologized for his participation in the board's previous actions.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23968988/openai-employees-resignation-letter-microsoft-sam-altman |title=Hundreds of OpenAI employees threaten to resign and join Microsoft |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Kastrenakes |first1=Jacob |last2=Warren |first2=Tom |work=The Verge |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120141249/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/20/23968988/openai-employees-resignation-letter-microsoft-sam-altman |url-status=live }} On November 21, The Verge reported that Altman was reinstated with Taylor, D'Angelo, and economist Lawrence Summers on an interim{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/business/dealbook/openai-altman-microsoft-board.html |title=The Fallout From Sam Altman's Return to OpenAI |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Ross Sorkin |first1=Andrew |last2=Mattu |first2=Ravi |last3=Warner |first3=Bernhard |last4=Kessler |first4=Sarah |last5=de la Merced |first5=Michael |last6=Hirsch |first6=Lauren |last7=Livni |first7=Ephrat |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217010304/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/business/dealbook/openai-altman-microsoft-board.html |url-status=live }} board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23967223/sam-altman-returns-ceo-open-ai |title=Breaking: Sam Altman to return as CEO of OpenAI |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Patel |first1=Nilay |last2=Heath |first2=Alex |author-link1=Nilay Patel |work=The Verge |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122060733/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23967223/sam-altman-returns-ceo-open-ai |url-status=live }} Taylor will chair the board.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/22/tech/larry-summers-openai-board-sam-altman/index.html |title=Economist Larry Summers joins the board of OpenAI as ousted CEO Sam Altman returns |date=November 22, 2023 |last=Lopez |first=Luciana |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123022102/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/22/tech/larry-summers-openai-board-sam-altman/index.html |url-status=live }} As part of the compromise deal, Altman and Brockman will not reclaim seats on the board. Altman agreed to an internal investigation into his alleged conduct,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/breaking-sam-altman-to-return-as-openai-ceo |title=Altman Agrees to Internal Investigation Upon Return to OpenAI |date=November 21, 2023 |last1=Efrati |first1=Amir |last2=Gardizy |first2=Anissa |last3=Woo |first3=Erin |work=The Information |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122074559/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/breaking-sam-altman-to-return-as-openai-ceo |url-status=live }} selecting two lawyers from WilmerHale to conduct the inquiry.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/openai-picks-wilmerhale-lawyers-for-altman-firing-investigation |title=OpenAI Picks WilmerHale Lawyers for Altman Firing Investigation |date=December 8, 2023 |last=Metz |first=Rachel |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208223618/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/openai-picks-wilmerhale-lawyers-for-altman-firing-investigation |url-status=live }}

In March 2024, the investigation determined that Altman's behavior "did not mandate removal". Taylor announced that Altman would rejoin OpenAI's board of directors with former Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation chief executive Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former Sony Corporation general counsel Nicole Seligman, and Instacart chief executive Fidji Simo.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/8/24094885/openai-sam-altman-investigation-board-results |title=OpenAI investigation says it was wrong to fire Sam Altman |date=March 8, 2024 |last=Heath |first=Alex |work=The Verge |access-date=March 8, 2024}}

In May 2024, after OpenAI's non-disparagement agreements were exposed, Altman was accused of lying when claiming to have been unaware of the equity cancellation provision for departing employees that don't sign the agreement.{{Cite web |last=Getahun |first=Hannah |title=Sam Altman addresses 'potential equity cancellation' in OpenAI exit agreements after 2 high-profile departures |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-nda-clause-vested-equity-ilya-sutskever-2024-5 |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Also in May, former board member Helen Toner explained the board's rationale for firing Altman in November 2023. She stated that Altman had withheld information, for example about the release of ChatGPT and his ownership of OpenAI's startup fund. She said that Altman provided "inaccurate information about the small number of formal safety processes that the company did have in place". She also alleged that two executives in OpenAI had reported to the board "psychological abuse" from Altman, and provided screenshots and documentation of "lying and being manipulative in different situations". She said that many employees feared retaliation if they didn't support Altman, and that he had already been fired from Loopt because of what the management team had called "deceptive and chaotic behavior".{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=2024-05-29 |title=Former OpenAI board member explains why they fired Sam Altman |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/28/24166713/openai-helen-toner-explains-why-sam-altman-was-fired |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Verge |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Hayden |date=2024-05-29 |title=Former OpenAI board member explains why CEO Sam Altman got fired before he was rehired |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/29/former-openai-board-member-explains-why-ceo-sam-altman-was-fired.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

The removal left OpenAI in "chaos", according to The New York Times.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/open-ai-sam-altman-what-happened.html |title=The Fear and Tension That Led to Sam Altman's Ouster at OpenAI |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Metz |first=Cade |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119001334/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/open-ai-sam-altman-what-happened.html |url-status=live }} According to Bloomberg News, a significant number of OpenAI engineers threatened to resign if the board did not reconsider Altman's removal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/sam-altman-openai-latest-inside-his-shock-firing-by-the-board |title=The Doomed Mission Behind Sam Altman's Shock Ouster From OpenAI |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Chafkin |first1=Max |last2=Metz |first2=Rachel |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120001404/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/sam-altman-openai-latest-inside-his-shock-firing-by-the-board |url-status=live }}

According to The Information, Altman's removal risked a share sale led by Thrive Capital valuing the company at {{USD|86}} billion.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-86-bln-share-sale-jeopardy-following-altman-firing-information-2023-11-18/ |title=OpenAI's $86 billion share sale in jeopardy after Altman firing, The Information reports |date=November 18, 2023 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118203005/https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-86-bln-share-sale-jeopardy-following-altman-firing-information-2023-11-18/ |url-status=live }} A potential second tender offer for early-stage investors was also at risk.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/openai-staff-threaten-to-go-to-microsoft-if-board-doesn-t-quit |title=Nearly All of OpenAI Staff Threaten to Go to Microsoft If Board Doesn't Quit |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Vance |first1=Ashlee |last2=Ludlow |first2=Edward |last3=Savov |first3=Vlad |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120164631/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/openai-staff-threaten-to-go-to-microsoft-if-board-doesn-t-quit |url-status=live }} The Information later reported that Thrive Capital's tender offer will continue after Altman's reinstatement.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/thrive-led-openai-tender-to-continue-after-altman-returns |title=Thrive-Led OpenAI Tender to Continue After Altman Returns |date=November 22, 2023 |last1=Heeter |first1=Maria |last2=Clark |first2=Kate |work=The Information |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123033925/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/thrive-led-openai-tender-to-continue-after-altman-returns |url-status=live }}

OpenAI delayed the release of its online chatbot store as a result of Altman's removal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-01/openai-delays-launch-of-online-store-for-chatbots-after-altman-saga |title=OpenAI Delays Launch of Online Store for Custom Chatbots |date=December 1, 2023 |last=Metz |first=Rachel |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203173857/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-01/openai-delays-launch-of-online-store-for-chatbots-after-altman-saga |url-status=live }}

Shares in Microsoft fell nearly three percent following the announcement.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-17/sam-altman-to-depart-openai-mira-murati-will-be-interim-ceo?srnd=undefined |title=OpenAI Ousts Altman as CEO, Board Says It Lost Confidence In Him |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Metz |first=Rachel |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120003017/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-17/sam-altman-to-depart-openai-mira-murati-will-be-interim-ceo?srnd=undefined |url-status=live }} According to CoinDesk, the value of Worldcoin, an iris biometric cryptocurrency co-founded by Altman, decreased twelve percent. After hiring Altman, Microsoft's stock price rose over two percent to an all-time high.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/investing/microsoft-stock-record-high-altman-openai/index.html |title=Microsoft stock hits all-time high after hiring former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Hur |first=Krystal |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120195957/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/20/investing/microsoft-stock-record-high-altman-openai/index.html |url-status=live }}

Altman's removal benefited OpenAI's competitors, such Anthropic, Quora, Hugging Face, Meta Platforms, and Google.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90985744/how-chaos-at-openai-reshapes-ais-competitive-landscape |title=How chaos at OpenAI reshapes AI's competitive landscape |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Nover |first=Scott |work=Fast Company |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118191658/https://www.fastcompany.com/90985744/how-chaos-at-openai-reshapes-ais-competitive-landscape |url-status=live }} The Economist wrote that the removal could slow down the artificial intelligence industry as a whole.{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/18/what-sam-altmans-surprise-sacking-means-for-the-ai-race |title=What Sam Altman's surprise sacking means for the AI race |date=November 18, 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118121336/https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/18/what-sam-altmans-surprise-sacking-means-for-the-ai-race |url-status=live }} Google DeepMind received an increase in applicants, according to The Information; Cohere and Adept engaged in an active effort to hire OpenAI employees.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-rivals-rush-to-poach-openai-staff-after-altman-ouster |title=OpenAI's Rivals Rush to Poach Staff After Altman Ouster |date=November 19, 2023 |last1=Palazzolo |first1=Stephanie |last2=Mascarenhas |first2=Natasha |last3=Victor |first3=Jon |last4=Clark |first4=Kate |work=The Information |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119222519/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-rivals-rush-to-poach-openai-staff-after-altman-ouster |url-status=live }} Several investors considered writing down their OpenAI investments to zero, impacting the company's ability to raise capital. Over one hundred companies using OpenAI contacted Anthropic, according to The Information; others reached out to Google Cloud, Cohere, and Microsoft Azure.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-customers-consider-defecting-to-anthropic-google-cohere |title=OpenAI's Customers Consider Defecting to Anthropic, Microsoft, Google |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Holmes |first1=Aaron |last2=Gardizy |first2=Anissa |last3=Mascarenhas |first3=Natasha |last4=Palazzolo |first4=Stephanie |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121190741/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openais-customers-consider-defecting-to-anthropic-google-cohere |url-status=live }}

According to The Information, Altman is planning a new artificial intelligence venture with Brockman,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-co-founder-altman-plans-new-venture |title=OpenAI Co-Founder Altman Plans New AI Venture |last1=Clark |first1=Kate |last2=Weinberg |first2=Cory |work=The Information |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118202454/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/openai-co-founder-altman-plans-new-venture |url-status=live }} among other OpenAI employees.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-co-founder-altman-planning-new-venture-information-2023-11-18/ |title=Ousted OpenAI CEO Altman discusses possible return, mulls new AI venture-source |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Tong |first1=Anna |last2=Dastin |first2=Jeffrey |last3=Hu |first3=Krystal |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118210909/https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-co-founder-altman-planning-new-venture-information-2023-11-18/ |url-status=live }} Sequoia Capital investor Alfred Lin and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla expressed interest in Altman's potential venture.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/466bf00a-1e76-4255-be2b-3c1d37508031 |title=OpenAI investors push to reinstate Sam Altman as CEO |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Hammond |first=George |work=Financial Times |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119022217/https://www.ft.com/content/466bf00a-1e76-4255-be2b-3c1d37508031 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/ousted-openai-ceo-makes-plans-for-new-artificial-intelligence-company.html |title=Ousted OpenAI C.E.O. Makes Plans for New Artificial Intelligence Company |date=November 18, 2023 |last1=Isaac |first1=Mike |last2=Metz |first2=Cade |last3=Griffith |first3=Erin |last4=Mickle |first4=Tripp |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118230605/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/18/technology/ousted-openai-ceo-makes-plans-for-new-artificial-intelligence-company.html |url-status=live }}

Multiple OpenAI investors are considering legal action.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-investors-considering-suing-board-after-ceos-abrupt-firing-sources-2023-11-20/ |title=OpenAI investors considering suing the board after CEO's abrupt firing |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Tong |first1=Anna |last2=Hu |first2=Krystal |last3=Godoy |first3=Jody |publisher=Reuters |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120230652/https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-investors-considering-suing-board-after-ceos-abrupt-firing-sources-2023-11-20/ |url-status=live }} On December 8, the Competition and Markets Authority announced it was beginning a preliminary investigation into Microsoft's relationship with OpenAI and its non-voting board observership.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/microsoft-open-ai-tie-up-facing-uk-antitrust-scrutiny |title=Microsoft's OpenAI Ties Face Potential UK Antitrust Probe |date=December 8, 2023 |last1=Gammell |first1=Katharine |last2=Seal |first2=Thomas |last3=Bergen |first3=Mark |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208110256/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/microsoft-open-ai-tie-up-facing-uk-antitrust-scrutiny |url-status=live }} Hours later, Bloomberg News reported that the Federal Trade Commission was separately examining the relationship.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/ftc-makes-preliminary-antitrust-queries-into-microsoft-openai |title=Microsoft's OpenAI Investment Risks Scrutiny from US, UK Regulators |date=December 8, 2023 |last=Nylen |first=Leah |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208165029/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/ftc-makes-preliminary-antitrust-queries-into-microsoft-openai |url-status=live }} In response, Microsoft stated that it does not hold a stake in OpenAI.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/microsoft-s-answer-to-openai-inquiry-it-doesn-t-own-a-stake |title=Microsoft's Answer to OpenAI Inquiry: It Doesn't Own a Stake |date=December 8, 2023 |last1=Bass |first1=Dina |last2=Nylen |first2=Leah |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208215234/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-08/microsoft-s-answer-to-openai-inquiry-it-doesn-t-own-a-stake |url-status=live }}

In February 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was reportedly investigating OpenAI over whether internal company communications made by Altman were used to mislead investors, while an investigation of Altman's statements that was opened by the Southern New York U.S. Attorney's Office opened the previous November was ongoing.{{cite news|last=Seetharaman|first=Deepa|date=February 28, 2024|title=SEC Investigating Whether OpenAI Investors Were Misled|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/sec-investigating-whether-openai-investors-were-misled-9d90b411|access-date=February 29, 2024}}{{cite news|last1=Hagey|first1=Keach|last2=Seetharaman|first2=Deepa|last3=Jin|first3=Berber|date=November 22, 2023|title=Behind the Scenes of Sam Altman's Showdown at OpenAI|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=News Corp|url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/altman-firing-openai-520a3a8c|access-date=February 29, 2024}}

Altman quipped that the OpenAI board of directors should sue him should he "start going off".{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/openai-sam-altman-ousted-what-happened/ |title=Sam Altman's Sudden Exit Sends Shockwaves Through OpenAI and Beyond |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Knight |first=Will |magazine=Wired |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118180208/https://www.wired.com/story/openai-sam-altman-ousted-what-happened/ |url-status=live }} Former co-chair Elon Musk stated the board should be transparent in its removal.{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/11/19/sam-altman-returns-to-openai-hq-reinstatement-as-ceo-could-be-soon/ |title=Sam Altman returned to OpenAI HQ and could be reinstated as CEO soon. Elon Musk says 'the public should be informed' why he was fired in the first place |date=November 19, 2023 |last=Mollman |first=Steve |work=Fortune |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119221556/https://fortune.com/2023/11/19/sam-altman-returns-to-openai-hq-reinstatement-as-ceo-could-be-soon/ |url-status=live }} At the 2023 DealBook Summit, Musk called the turmoil "troubling" and that he had "mixed feelings" towards Altman.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/29/business/dealbook-summit-news/elon-musk-calls-the-openai-turmoil-troubling |title=Elon Musk calls the OpenAI turmoil 'troubling' |date=December 8, 2023 |last=Moreno |first=J. Edward |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207221944/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/29/business/dealbook-summit-news/elon-musk-calls-the-openai-turmoil-troubling |url-status=live }} Allies of Altman accused board members of staging a coup and several OpenAI employees responded to a tweet Altman wrote with a heart emoji, intended to demonstrate employees who are prepared to leave.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/19/23968027/why-openai-employees-were-posting-all-those-heart-emojis |title=Why OpenAI employees were posting all those heart emojis. |date=November 19, 2023 |last=Heath |first=Alex |work=The Verge |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119233822/https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/19/23968027/why-openai-employees-were-posting-all-those-heart-emojis |url-status=live }} Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt wrote that Altman was a "hero to [him]" after his removal.

Microsoft executives were informed of Altman's removal a minute before the announcement was made, according to Axios,{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster |title=Microsoft is a key investor in OpenAI. It was blindsided by Sam Altman's exit. |date=November 17, 2023 |last=Fried |first=Ina |work=Axios |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118002338/https://www.axios.com/2023/11/17/microsoft-openai-sam-altman-ouster |url-status=live }} and investors were not given advance knowledge. Satya Nadella and chief technology officer Kevin Scott expressed confidence in OpenAI following his removal,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-has-utmost-confidence-in-ai-developer-following-ceo-ouster |title=Interim OpenAI CEO: Microsoft Has 'Utmost Confidence' in Startup Following Altman Departure |date=November 17, 2023 |last1=Woo |first1=Erin |last2=Gardizy |first2=Anissa |last3=Holmes |first3=Aaron |work=The Information |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118000712/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/microsoft-has-utmost-confidence-in-ai-developer-following-ceo-ouster |url-status=live }} though Nadella was reportedly furious, according to Bloomberg News.

Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham referred to the board's members as "misbehaving children". Third Point chief executive and Microsoft shareholder Daniel S. Loeb stated that OpenAI had "stunningly poor governance".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/microsoft-shareholder-third-point-says-openais-board-had-stunningly-poor-governance |title=Microsoft Shareholder Third Point Says OpenAI's Board Had 'Stunningly Poor Governance' |date=November 19, 2023 |last=Heeter |first=Maria |work=The Information |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119145025/https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/microsoft-shareholder-third-point-says-openais-board-had-stunningly-poor-governance |url-status=live }} French digital transition minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Altman is "welcome in France".{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ousted-openai-ceo-altman-welcome-in-france-digital-minister-says/ |title=Ousted OpenAI CEO Altman welcome in France, digital minister says |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Hayden |first=Jones |work=Politico |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119060443/https://www.politico.eu/article/ousted-openai-ceo-altman-welcome-in-france-digital-minister-says/ |url-status=live }}

Following the employee letter, Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff offered to employ OpenAI employees with matching salaries,{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/benioff-invites-openai-researchers-to-join-saleforce-s-ai-team |title=Benioff Woos OpenAI Staff to Salesforce With Offer to Match Pay |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Purvis |first=Ben |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122103858/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-20/benioff-invites-openai-researchers-to-join-saleforce-s-ai-team |url-status=live }} an offer extended by Microsoft.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67484455 |title=Microsoft offers to match pay of all OpenAI staff |date=November 21, 2023 |last=Gerken |first=Tom |publisher=BBC News |access-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121221642/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67484455 |url-status=live }}

Wired editor-at-large Steven Levy compared the removal of Altman to the removal of Steve Jobs from Apple in 1985,{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/sam-altman-firing-openai-future/ |title=What Sam Altman's Firing Means for the Future of OpenAI |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Levy |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Levy |magazine=Wired |access-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118210106/https://www.wired.com/story/sam-altman-firing-openai-future/ |url-status=live }} a comparison made by The New York Times.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/21/technology/sam-altman-steve-jobs.html |title=The Long Shadow of Steve Jobs Looms Over the Turmoil at OpenAI |date=November 21, 2023 |last=Streitfeld |first=David |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121081126/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/21/technology/sam-altman-steve-jobs.html |url-status=live }} Axios posed that the board could resign, returning OpenAI to Altman. Writing for The New York Times, Ezra Klein noted the role of OpenAI's controlling non-profit in self-regulation.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/opinion/openai-sam-altman.html |title=The Unsettling Lesson of the OpenAI Mess |date=November 22, 2023 |last=Klein |first=Ezra |author-link=Ezra Klein |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122221006/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/opinion/openai-sam-altman.html |url-status=live }} Analyst Fred Havemeyer stated that Nadella "pulled off a coup of his own" in hiring Altman in The Washington Post.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/20/microsoft-sam-altman-hire/ |title=The idea of OpenAI is dead. Now Microsoft is in the driver's seat. |date=November 20, 2023 |last1=Oremus |first1=Will |last2=Mark |first2=Julian |last3=Tan |first3=Eli |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121001703/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/20/microsoft-sam-altman-hire/ |url-status=live }} Altman was named as Time{{'}}s CEO of the Year for 2023, owing partially to his removal.{{Cite magazine |url=https://time.com/6342827/ceo-of-the-year-2023-sam-altman/ |title=CEO of the Year 2023: Sam Altman |date=December 6, 2023 |last1=Bajekal |first1=Naina |last2=Perrigo |first2=Billy |magazine=Time |access-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223200121/https://time.com/6342827/ceo-of-the-year-2023-sam-altman/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2024, Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton declared that he was proud that Ilya Sutskever, a former student of his, was responsible for firing Altman.{{Cite web |last=Hetzner |first=Christiaan |title=New Nobel Prize winner, AI godfather Geoffrey Hinton, says he's proud his student fired OpenAI boss Sam Altman |url=https://fortune.com/2024/10/09/openai-sam-altman-geoffrey-hinton-nobel-prize-physics-ilya-sutskever-toronto/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Fortune |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/11/report-sutskever-led-board-coup-at-openai-that-ousted-altman-over-ai-safety-concerns/ |title=Details emerge of surprise board coup that ousted CEO Sam Altman at OpenAI |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Edwards |first=Benj |work=Ars Technica |access-date=November 18, 2023}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6dd292c0-a551-4609-8649-f6b69b20f846 |title=How to talk to an elderly relative about Altman, OpenAI and Microsoft |date=November 20, 2023 |last=Elder |first=Bryce |work=Financial Times |access-date=November 20, 2023}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/sam-altman-greg-brockman-openai-board-timeline |title=How Sam Altman's ouster went down, according to OpenAI's ex-president |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Fried |first=Ina |work=Axios |access-date=November 18, 2023}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-18/openai-altman-ouster-followed-debates-between-altman-board |title=The Perpetual Rise of Sam Altman Takes an Unexpected Turn |date=November 18, 2023 |last=Huet |first=Ellen |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=November 18, 2023}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/larry-summers-openai-board |title=Who is Larry Summers, the controversial pick to join OpenAI's board |date=November 22, 2023 |last=Salmon |first=Felix |work=Axios |access-date=November 23, 2023}}
• {{cite magazine |last1=Duhigg |first1=Charles |title=The Inside Story of Microsoft's Partnership with OpenAI |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/11/the-inside-story-of-microsofts-partnership-with-openai |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231222230940/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/11/the-inside-story-of-microsofts-partnership-with-openai |archive-date=22 December 2023 |date=1 December 2023}}

• [https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972572/microsoft-internal-memo-kevin-scott-openai Microsoft's internal memos regarding OpenAI]

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Category:November 2023 in the United States