OpenAI CEO Sam Altman may not be out of a job after all, according to a report from The Verge on Saturday. Sources close to Altman claim that the board is considering reinstating him to his former position, despite the fact that they missed a 5pm PT deadline to make the decision.
Following his firing on Friday, several senior staffers, including former Chairman and President Greg Brockman, resigned in protest. An internal memo circulated after Altman’s dismissal stated that his termination was not related to any wrongdoing.
Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, has expressed confidence in the current interim CEO, Mira Murati. However, rank-and-file employees were given little notice of the leadership change, and Altman himself was reportedly blindsided by the decision.
According to the New York Times, it is unclear whether Altman and Brockman will be able to return to power due to the company’s non-profit origins, which limit the influence of investors. Only four members remain on the OpenAI board as of the weekend.
The situation at OpenAI seems to be in flux, with the possibility of Altman’s reinstatement still up in the air.
