Sam Altman’s move to Microsoft a ruse? Satya Nadella, investors want him as OpenAI CEO

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, OpenAI’s investors, along with Sam Altman, want Altman to be the CEO of OpenAI. Nadella’s job offer to Altman and Greg Brockman was to hold off Microsoft’s stock from tanking when the US market reopened on Monday (Tuesday in India), sources have revealed.

Sam Altman, the ousted CEO of OpenAI, may not be joining Microsoft as initially anticipated afterall Multiple sources have informed The Verge that Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman are open to returning to OpenAI, provided the board members responsible for Altman’s dismissal step aside.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella addressed the situation in recent interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg TV, stating that Altman’s employment with Microsoft and the potential migration of OpenAI’s 700 staffers would be decisions left to the OpenAI board, management, and employees. Nadella emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to partnering with OpenAI but indicated a need for governance changes within the organization.

Regarding the composition of OpenAI’s board, Nadella mentioned on CNBC that discussions with the board would take place to address governance issues. He stressed the importance of transparency in decision-making, stating on Bloomberg that “surprises are bad,” and Microsoft would seek governance changes in the ongoing dialogue with OpenAI.

The recent announcement of Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, as OpenAI’s new CEO has made the situation more complex. Altman, along with former president Brockman and the company’s investors, is reportedly seeking an amicable resolution with the board. The Microsoft hiring announcement is seen as a temporary measure, referred to as a “holding pattern,” while negotiations continue.

The reported mass exodus of OpenAI employees, including key figures like board member and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, has intensified pressure on the board. Altman’s statement on X, expressing a commitment to working together in some capacity, suggests that the conflict is ongoing.

Negotiations to reinstate Altman reached a stalemate, leading to parallel efforts by OpenAI’s management team and investors to identify potential board replacements. Despite this, the board proceeded with its CEO search, announcing Shear’s appointment on Sunday. Sutskever, who initially played a role in Altman’s removal, has since joined an open letter calling for the board’s resignation and Altman’s reinstatement.

Inside OpenAI, there is a reported power struggle, with most employees opposing the current three-person board. A scheduled all-hands meeting on Sunday was reportedly boycotted by employees in San Francisco, expressing discontent with the new CEO. Social media posts from employees indicate their commitment to maintaining service stability for OpenAI’s developers, possibly as a means to pressure the board to resign.

New CEO Emmett Shear has encountered challenges in obtaining detailed reasoning for Altman’s termination, which has not been shared with investors. Shear has pledged to hire an independent investigator to examine the entire process leading up to Altman’s dismissal.

In response to these developments, Altman, in another X post, emphasized the priority of ensuring OpenAI’s continued success. However, questions remain about the compatibility of joining Microsoft with over 700 former OpenAI employees and how this aligns with the goal of OpenAI thriving independently. Altman’s absence from Microsoft’s internal corporate directory adds to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

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