Meet OpenAI’s Newly Formed Board of Directors: Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo
OpenAI has reached a significant agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return as CEO, supported by a new board consisting of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.
We appreciate your patience as we finalize the details.
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) November 22, 2023
In the early hours of Tuesday, OpenAI announced that after the abrupt firing of Sam Altman as CEO the previous Friday, it has reached an agreement “in principle” for his return, accompanied by a new “initial” board of directors. Emmett Shear, who served briefly as interim CEO, will now step aside for Altman’s reinstatement. Taylor, the former co-CEO of Salesforce, will lead this board alongside D’Angelo, the CEO of Quora, and Summers.
“I’m very pleased with this outcome after approximately 72 intense hours of negotiations. I joined OpenAI uncertain of the best path forward, but we identified a solution that maximizes safety while considering all stakeholders. I am glad to have contributed to this resolution.”
— Emmett Shear (@eshear) November 22, 2023
The term “initial” suggests that this board is temporary rather than permanent, and since this arrangement is “in principle,” it is not yet finalized. Further details are expected from OpenAI at a more suitable hour.
Reports indicate that the final OpenAI board may consist of nine members—including Altman—and potentially a representative from Microsoft. Microsoft had contemplated advocating for a board position prior to this agreement, a move that could attract regulatory scrutiny due to its existing relationship with OpenAI. The tech giant appears to believe that governance and oversight are worthwhile investments.
“I love OpenAI, and everything I’ve done recently has been to maintain this team and its mission. Joining Microsoft on Sunday felt like the best move for both me and the team. With the new board and Satya's support, I’m excited about our future direction.”
— Sam Altman (@sama) November 22, 2023
We see these developments at OpenAI’s board as a vital first step toward more stable, informed, and effective governance. Sam, Greg, and I have engaged in discussions and agreed that they will play key roles alongside OpenAI’s leadership team in ensuring ongoing success.
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) November 22, 2023
Bret Taylor’s name has emerged in recent discussions suggesting he might be appointed to the new board, while D’Angelo’s involvement indicates he has strong backing to maintain his position. Summers, however, is more of a wildcard.
As a seasoned economist, Summers served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1999 to 2001 and directed the National Economic Council from 2009 to 2010. Most recently, he was involved in shaping policies during the Obama administration’s response to the Great Recession.
You may wonder why an economist and political figure—controversial due to his past comments on gender differences and their impact on women in math and science—would join the OpenAI board. Tech outsiders have occupied board positions before; for example, former Congressman Will Hurd held one briefly.
Summers’ appointment appears to be a strategic maneuver, as pointed out by my colleague Ingrid Lunden. With OpenAI under increasing regulatory scrutiny, Summers brings invaluable connections that could facilitate OpenAI’s engagement with government, business, and academic leaders.
A Bloomberg report highlights that Summers already serves on technology boards, including Block and Skillsoft Corp, and he advises Andreessen Horowitz. His views on AI align well with OpenAI’s mission, noting that AI may jeopardize American jobs over the next 50 to 100 years. He has suggested that the U.S. must remain competitive with countries like China in the AI sector, comparing the impact of ChatGPT to that of the printing press and electricity—foreseeing a threat to higher-skilled jobs first.
Meanwhile, Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, has reportedly lost influence as a board member and was part of the group advocating for Altman’s dismissal, a situation he seems to deeply regret. Anyone in his position would likely share similar feelings.
Tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, director at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technologies, have also exited the board. Reports suggest that Altman may have sought Toner’s removal earlier over a critical paper she authored regarding OpenAI’s safety protocols, indicating a favorable outcome for him.
As for Greg Brockman, who resigned in protest against Altman’s dismissal, his future was unclear after the former board removed him. However, he confirmed via tweet that he’ll be “returning to OpenAI,” although likely not in his previous presidential role.
“Returning to OpenAI and getting back to coding tonight.”
— Greg Brockman (@gdb) November 22, 2023
Updated at 11:17 a.m. Eastern with additional insights about Larry Summers.
Ranking
