In interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg TV tonight, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the possibility of Sam Altman, who was recently dismissed as CEO of OpenAI by the board of directors, returning to OpenAI in some capacity. This statement comes despite Altman’s earlier announcement that he intended to join a newly-formed AI research team at Microsoft with ex-OpenAI president Greg Brockman and former OpenAI researchers.
Nadella expressed Microsoft’s desire for Altman and Brockman to find a welcoming environment, stating, “Obviously, we want Sam and Greg to have a fantastic home if they’re not going to be in OpenAI.” When asked about Altman’s potential return to OpenAI, Nadella deferred the decision to OpenAI’s board, management, and employees, highlighting Microsoft’s explicit partnership with OpenAI and remaining open to various possibilities.
Nadella’s responses appear to align with earlier reports from The Verge, suggesting that Altman’s move to Microsoft may not be finalized. The recent change of heart from OpenAI’s chief scientist, Ilya Sutskever, raises the possibility that only two out of the three remaining board members need to support Altman’s return.
Additionally, Nadella emphasized Microsoft’s interest in seeing changes in OpenAI’s governance, particularly regarding investor relations. OpenAI is governed by a nonprofit board, of which investors, including Microsoft, are not members. Nadella stated on CNBC that discussions about governance changes would be part of an ongoing dialogue with OpenAI’s board.
Since Altman’s dismissal, OpenAI has experienced significant upheaval. The management team and backers, including interim CEO Mira Murat, have been evaluating candidates to replace the board, anticipating Altman’s potential return. The board itself conducted a CEO search, selecting Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, after other candidates declined offers. Shear’s appointment has stirred controversy internally, with employees reportedly expressing discontent, and over 700 of the company’s approximately 770 employees, including Sutskever, signing a letter calling for the board’s resignation and Altman’s reinstatement.
The situation is further complicated by the board’s reluctance to provide detailed reasoning for Altman’s termination. Shear has committed to hiring an independent investigator to thoroughly examine the process leading to Altman’s dismissal and generate a comprehensive report.
