OpenAI Clears Sam Altman of Allegations, Details Remain Confidential

OpenAI has officially reinstated Sam Altman as CEO, bringing him back to the board of directors after a thorough investigation into his sudden dismissal last November. In a blog post, board Chair Bret Taylor stated, “We have unanimously concluded that Sam and Greg are the right leaders for OpenAI.” Alongside Altman’s return, President Greg Brockman also rejoined the board after having resigned following Altman’s firing.

To enhance governance, OpenAI has expanded its board to eight members by adding three new individuals: Sue Desmond-Hellman, the former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, who previously served as general counsel at Sony; and Fidji Simo, CEO and chair of Instacart.

Last November, OpenAI formed a special committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Altman’s removal. They enlisted the help of law firm WilmerHale, which meticulously reviewed over 30,000 documents and conducted numerous interviews, including with members of the board that authorized Altman’s firing.

The investigation revealed a “breakdown in trust” between the former board and Altman, which ultimately led to his dismissal on November 17. Notably, the reasons cited were not related to the safety and security of OpenAI’s AI models, development pace, financial issues, or communications to investors. Instead, the law firm concluded that the firing stemmed from a deteriorated relationship and a loss of trust without elaborating on specifics.

Initially, the previous board stated that Altman was terminated due to his failure to be “consistently candid.” However, the inquiry revealed that the board aimed to resolve internal management challenges, believing that their decision would not jeopardize the company’s stability. The board acted swiftly and did not consult key stakeholders, such as Microsoft, nor did they conduct a comprehensive inquiry or give Altman an opportunity to address their concerns.

In light of these findings, OpenAI has expressed “full confidence” in the leadership of both Altman and Brockman. The organization is also implementing new corporate governance practices, although specific details about these changes have not been disclosed. Additionally, OpenAI is reinforcing its conflict of interest policy, particularly in light of previous purchases of chips from Rain AI, a company in which Altman has invested. Reform initiatives include creating an anonymous reporting hotline for employees and contractors, as well as establishing new board committees to ensure accountability and transparency moving forward.