Recently, the dismissal of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman by the board of directors caused a huge uproar in the artificial intelligence industry and even around the world. AI Tools Collection has compiled reports from the beginning of the incident to the latest, sorting out the entire timeline of events in chronological order according to when the events occurred and when the English reports were published Beijing time, so that you can understand the ins and outs of the uproar over Sam Altman's dismissal in one article. If you have any views or opinions on this incident, you are welcome tothe comment section belowleave a comment and share.
November 18 · The beginning of the dismissal, personnel turmoilOpenAI suddenly dismisses CEO Sam Altman, board says it has lost confidence in his leadership
OpenAI issued an announcement stating that Sam Altman will step down as chief executive officer and exit the board of directors, and Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has been appointed interim chief executive officer. In addition, Greg Brockman will step down as chairman of the board and continue to serve in a company role. OpenAI said: "Before Altman's departure, the board conducted a careful review and concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering his ability to perform his responsibilities, and the board no longer trusted his ability to continue leading OpenAI."
Full text of the announcement:
OpenAI announces leadership transition
Former Google CEO posts about OpenAI chief executive's departure
Former Google CEO Schmidt posted, thanking Altman for his contributions to artificial intelligence. Schmidt said, "Sam Altman is a hero of mine. He took a company from nothing to a value of $90 billion and changed our collective world forever. I can't wait to see what he does next. I and billions of people will benefit from his future work—it's going to be incredible. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us."
Sam Altman responds: more information will be provided later
Sam Altman posted on X: "I loved my time at OpenAI. It was transformative for me personally, and hopefully a little bit transformative for the world. Most of all, I loved working with these talented people. More information will be provided later."
OpenAI will hold an all-hands meeting after the CEO's departure
According to people familiar with the matter, after OpenAI decided to fire Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, the company's newly appointed interim Chief Executive Officer Mira Murati and her team will address company employees on Friday afternoon local time. The company hopes to dispel employees' concerns about issues such as the company's future financing prospects.
Related report:
Cailian Press – OpenAI will hold an all-hands meeting after the CEO's departure
Microsoft CEO responds: will continue to be committed to long-term cooperation with OpenAI
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted: "As you saw this week at Microsoft Ignite, we will continue to innovate rapidly for this AI era, releasing more than 100 announcements across the entire technology stack – from AI systems, models, and tools in Azure to Copilot. Most importantly, we are committed to delivering all of this to our customers while building the future. We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI that gives us full access to everything we need to achieve our innovation agenda and exciting product roadmap, and we remain committed to sustaining the partnership with Mira and her team. Together, we will continue to bring the meaningful benefits of this technology to the world."
OpenAI co-founder and chairman Greg Brockman announced he will resign
Greg Brockman posted on X: "Based on today's news, I resigned." The full text of the response: "Ever since we started working in my apartment 8 years ago, I have been very proud of what we built together. We went through tough and good times together, and despite all kinds of reasons, we still achieved so much. But based on today's news, I resigned. I sincerely wish you all the best. I still firmly believe in the mission of creating safe artificial general intelligence that benefits all of humanity."
Greg Brockman posted about the details of the Altman removal controversy
Greg Brockman posted revealing that last night, Altman received a text message from the company's chief scientist Ilya Sutskever asking for a conversation at noon on Friday. Sutskever told Altman he would be fired, and the news quickly spread. At 12:23 p.m. on Friday, Sutskever sent a Google Meet meeting link. Brockman was told that he would be removed from the board, while Altman had already been fired. Brockman was also removed from his position as board chairman (but was not fired by the company), and afterward, he announced that he would leave the company. According to Brockman's understanding, company CTO Mira Murati knew about the company's decision on Thursday night; aside from that, they were all notified on short notice.
Sam Altman speaks out: if he "starts going off," the board will claim damages
Sam Altman, the former CEO earlier removed by OpenAI, once again posted on X claiming that if he "starts going off," OpenAI's board should go after him for the full value of his shares. (if i start going off, the openai board should go after me for the full value of my shares)
Report: three senior OpenAI researchers announced their resignations
According to The Information, three senior OpenAI researchers announced their resignations, saying they were affected by the firing of former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the sudden resignation of president Greg Brockman. These three senior researchers include the company's head of research Jakub Pachocki, the head of the team assessing AI potential risks Aleksander Madry, and researcher Szymon Sidor, who had worked there for 7 years.
English report:
The Information – Three Senior OpenAI Researchers Resign as Crisis Deepens
Chinese report:
ITHome – After the CEO and president, reports say three more senior OpenAI researchers announced their resignations
November 19 · External pressure, return hopefulOpenAI Internal Memo Says There Was No 'Dereliction of Duty' Behind Sam Altman's Firing
According to Axios, based on an internal memo from OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was not fired because of 'dereliction of duty or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices,' but rather because of a 'breakdown in communication between Sam Altman and the board.'
English report:
Axios – No “malfeasance” behind Sam Altman’s firing, OpenAI memo says
Chinese report:Cailian Press – OpenAI Memo Says There Was No 'Dereliction of Duty' Behind Sam Altman's Firing
After Sam Altman's Firing, OpenAI's $86 Billion Stock Sale Is in Jeopardy
According to a person familiar with the matter, the tender offer for OpenAI at an $86 billion valuation, previously led by Thrive Capital, has not yet closed but has entered its final stage and is expected to be completed as early as next month. As of Saturday, three former OpenAI employees who planned to participate in the tender said they no longer expected the sale to happen, or even if it did, that its valuation would be lower due to recent developments.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s $86 Billion Share Sale in Jeopardy Following Altman Firing
Sam Altman Plans to Launch a New AI Venture
According to a person familiar with the matter, recently ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been telling investors that he plans to launch a new artificial intelligence venture. The person said former OpenAI President Greg Brockman is also expected to join the company, and the project is still in development. It is not yet clear what the exact nature of the venture is; it could be an AI chip company.
English report:The Information – OpenAI Co-Founder Altman Plans New AI Venture
Chinese report:
Tencent Technology – Rumored That Altman Has Long Been Planning to Start a New Startup, and Masayoshi Son May Be the Investor Behind It
OpenAI's Investors Are Pressuring the Board to Bring Sam Altman Back to the Company
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that OpenAI's investors are pressuring the OpenAI board to reverse the decision to remove him. The people also said that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has remained in contact with Altman and has promised to support him no matter what Altman does next.
English report 1:
Bloomberg – OpenAI Board Urged by Microsoft, Investors to Restore Altman
English report 2:
The Verge – OpenAI board in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO
Chinese report:
STAR Market Daily – Investors Pressure, Board Softens, Will Altman Return to OpenAI?
OpenAI Internal Memo: Optimistic About Bringing Back Altman and Brockman
People familiar with the matter revealed that OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon told employees in a memo on Saturday evening U.S. Eastern Time that OpenAI is 'optimistic' about being able to bring Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and other key employees back to their positions.
English report:The Information – OpenAI ‘Optimistic’ It Can Bring Back Sam Altman, Greg Brockman
Chinese report:Tencent Technology – OpenAI: Optimistic About Bringing Back Altman and Brockman, Answer to Be Revealed Early Monday Morning
November 20 · Talks Break Down, Return FailsMusk: The Risk of Developing Advanced AI Is Very High, OpneAI Should Disclose the Reason for Firing Altman
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that because the potential dangers of developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology are very high, as the world's most powerful AI company, OpenAI should explain why it fired its CEO Sam Altman.
English report:
Business Insider – Musk Says Risk of AI so High OpenAI Should Say Why It Fired Sam Altman
Chinese report:
NetEase Tech – Musk: The risks of developing advanced AI are very high, OpenAI should disclose the reason for firing Altman
Altman and Brockman arrive at OpenAI headquarters, executives push to restore their positions
A person familiar with the matter said that two days after the OpenAI board fired Sam Altman, on Sunday local time, Sam Altman joined executives at the company's San Francisco headquarters to push the board to restore his position and those of other recently departed executives. According to people familiar with the matter, interim CEO Mira Murati earlier told employees that she and the leadership team had invited Altman. One of the people familiar with the matter said that former OpenAI chairman and president Greg Brockman also arrived at the office on Sunday.
English report:The Information – Altman, Brockman Arrive at OpenAI Headquarters as Execs Push to Reinstate Them
Chinese report:IT Home – Former OpenAI CEO Sam and former president Greg meet with executives at San Francisco headquarters
Altman posts a selfie with OpenAI's "visitor" badge on his chest
Altman uploaded a photo of himself at OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters on social media platform X, but he was wearing an OpenAI "visitor" badge around his neck, proving that his positions as CEO and director have not been fully restored.
OpenAI board negotiations reach an impasse over the composition and role of the board after Altman's return to the company
According to people familiar with the matter, a group of OpenAI executives and investors tried to restore Sam Altman to the CEO position, but reached an impasse over the composition and role of the board. Although negotiations are still ongoing, a solution may emerge soon. The OpenAI leadership team wants to dissolve the board, but the directors refuse. The board set 5 p.m. local time as the deadline for meeting Altman's demands.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI Leaders’ Efforts to Bring Back Altman Reach Impasse Over Board Role
Chinese report:
Sina Finance – OpenAI executives and investors push to restore Altman's CEO position, negotiations stuck on the board issue
If Altman returns to OpenAI, Microsoft will consider joining the board
According to two people familiar with the matter, OpenAI's largest supporter Microsoft is considering taking a seat on the board if ousted CEO Sam Altman returns to the company. One of the people familiar with the matter said Microsoft is considering joining OpenAI's board as a member or as a non-voting board observer.
English report:The Information – Microsoft Eyes Seat on OpenAI’s Revamped Board
Chinese report:Sina Finance – Sources say if Altman returns to OpenAI, Microsoft is considering obtaining a board seat at OpenAI
Sam Altman fails to return to OpenAI, board has appointed Emmett Shear as interim CEO
OpenAI co-founder and board director Ilya Sutskever said that despite company executives' efforts to bring Sam Altman back, he will not serve as OpenAI CEO again. Sutskever told employees that after a weekend of negotiations with the board that fired him on Friday, as well as remaining leaders and top investors, Altman will not return to the startup he co-founded in 2015. Sutskever said that Emmett Shear, co-founder of Amazon-owned video streaming site Twitch, will take over as interim CEO.
English report:The Information – Emmett Shear Becomes Interim OpenAI CEO as Altman Talks Break Down
Chinese report:IT Home – Report says Altman's return to OpenAI failed, board has appointed Emmett Shear as interim CEO
Microsoft CEO: Altman and Brockman will join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, whose company is OpenAI's largest shareholder and partner, announced that OpenAI founder and former CEO Sam Altman and former president Greg Brockman will join Microsoft. Nadella said that Altman and Brockman, along with their colleagues, will join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. Nadella also confirmed in a tweet that Emmett Shear will serve as OpenAI CEO, "We look forward to getting to know Emmett Shear and OAI's new leadership team and working with them."
English report:The Verge – Microsoft hires former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Chinese report:
The Paper – Microsoft CEO: OpenAI founders Altman and Brockman will join Microsoft
OpenAI interim CEO promises to investigate Altman's removal and reform management
OpenAI interim CEO Emmett Shear vowed on Monday to hire an independent investigator to investigate the sudden ouster of co-founder Sam Altman and to overhaul the management team within the next 30 days, in an effort to restore trust in the U.S. startup after a dramatic weekend.
English report:Business Insider – OpenAI’s New CEO Reveals Plans for His First 30 Days in 1 a.m. X Post
Chinese report:IT Home – OpenAI interim CEO promises to investigate Altman's removal and reform management
OpenAI executives and employees collectively post: OpenAI is nothing without its people
OpenAI executives (including the CTO and COO) and employees flooded social platform X together! They all said the same sentence: OpenAI is nothing without its people. Translated: Without employees, OpenAI is nothing. Sam Altman reposted many such posts and replied with a "heart".
Ilya Sutskever posts: deeply regrets participating in the board's actions
OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever said on social platform X that he deeply regrets participating in the board's actions and never intended to harm OpenAI. "I love everything we have built together, and I will do everything I can to bring the company back together."
More than 700 OpenAI employees sign a collective resignation letter demanding the reinstatement of Altman and Brockman
According to foreign media outlet Wired, on Monday local time, more than 500 OpenAI employees (now over 700) signed an open letter, threatening a collective resignation to pressure the OpenAI board to step down, and restore Sam Altman as CEO and co-founder Greg Brockman as president. Interestingly, the signatories of the joint letter also included Ilya Sutskever's name.
English report:
Wired – OpenAI Staff Threaten to Quit Unless Board Resigns
Chinese report:
Huxiu – Nearly 500 OpenAI employees sign a joint resignation letter demanding the reinstatement of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman
November 21 · The aftermath continues, the earthquake persistsMore than 100 OpenAI customers contact competitor Anthropic
According to people familiar with the matter, over the weekend more than 100 OpenAI customers contacted its competitor Anthropic, a startup that has raised billions of dollars from Amazon and Google in recent months. The people said other customers also contacted Google Cloud and OpenAI startup competitor Cohere, and many OpenAI customers are also considering switching to Microsoft's Azure service, which offers copies of OpenAI models and other models.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s Customers Consider Defecting to Anthropic, Microsoft, Google
Chinese report:
Sina – More than 100 OpenAI customers contact competitor Anthropic
Report says Altman is still willing to return to OpenAI as CEO, provided the board steps down
The deal for Altman to move to Microsoft has not yet been finalized, and Ilya Sutskever's shift to support Altman means two board members need to change their minds. Multiple sources told The Verge that if the remaining board members who fired him step down, he and co-founder Greg Brockman are still willing to return to OpenAI.
English report:The Verge – Sam Altman is still trying to return as OpenAI CEO
Chinese report:ITHome – Report says Altman is still willing to return to OpenAI as CEO, provided the board steps down
Altman says top priority with Microsoft CEO is to ensure OpenAI thrives
Sam Altman said on social media, "Satya and my top priority remains ensuring OpenAI continues to 'thrive.' We are committed to fully providing operational continuity to our partners and customers. The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft makes this highly feasible."
OpenAI had tried to invite former GitHub CEO and Scale AI founder to take the interim CEO position
According to people familiar with the matter, before former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear accepted the OpenAI interim CEO position, the board had invited Nat Friedman (former CEO of Microsoft-owned GitHub and a prolific investor in AI startups) and Scale AI co-founder and CEO Alex Wang to take the position. The people said both declined the offer.
English report:The Information – Former GitHub CEO Friedman, Scale AI Founder Wang Declined OpenAI Top Job
Salesforce CEO posts inviting researchers who resigned from OpenAI to join
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff extended an olive branch, inviting researchers who resigned from OpenAI to join. Benioff posted on X platform that Salesforce will offer researchers who resigned from OpenAI matching compensation and benefits. Benioff invited these employees to join the Salesforce Einstein Trusted AI research team led by Silvio Savarese.
Sources say OpenAI investors are considering suing the company's board
Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that some OpenAI investors are considering legal action against the company's board and are currently discussing it with legal counsel. Investors are worried that the hundreds of millions of dollars they invested in OpenAI could suffer "catastrophic losses," because the hot company appears to be facing the risk of collapse.
English report:
Reuters – OpenAI investors considering suing the board after CEO’s abrupt firing
Chinese report:ITHome – Sources say OpenAI investors are considering suing the company's board
Altman may still return to OpenAI, Microsoft CEO says: open to this
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said he is open to Sam Altman returning to OpenAI; Nadella said that whether Altman joins Microsoft or returns to OpenAI, the entrepreneur will work with Microsoft; he also said that either way, OpenAI needs to reform its governance.
English report:
CNBC – Microsoft CEO Nadella says OpenAI governance needs to change no matter where Altman ends up
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Altman may still return to OpenAI, Microsoft CEO says: open to this
OpenAI board once contacted competitor Anthropic to discuss a merger
According to media reports citing people familiar with the matter, after ousting Sam Altman, the OpenAI board once discussed a merger between the two companies with Dario Amodei, co-founder and CEO of its major competitor and star AI startup Anthropic. The people familiar with the matter said the OpenAI board tried to persuade Dario Amodei to take over as OpenAI CEO, so the merger was discussed. But Amodei rejected the proposal.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s Board Approached Anthropic About Merger
Chinese report:
Wallstreetcn – OpenAI board once contacted competitor Anthropic to discuss a merger
OpenAI is actively discussing matters to "reunite" the company
According to a memo to employees on Monday from OpenAI Vice President of Global Affairs Anna Makanju, OpenAI is holding active discussions to "reunite" the company. OpenAI employees are "staying in touch" with founder Sam Altman and are "engaging with" the CEO and the board. OpenAI said, our number one goal is for OpenAI to reunite.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI in ‘Intense Discussions’ to Quell Potential Mutiny
Chinese report:Sina Finance – Memo: OpenAI is actively discussing matters to "reunite"
November 22 · Another reversal, return confirmedOpenAI board reportedly negotiating with Sam Altman over his return
According to media reports, OpenAI co-founder and former CEO Sam Altman and members of the company's board have begun negotiations, and the two sides are exploring the possibility of Altman returning to OpenAI. A person familiar with the matter said that one scenario currently being discussed is that Altman would return to OpenAI as a director on a transition board.
English report:Bloomberg – Sam Altman, OpenAI Board Open Talks to Negotiate His Possible Return
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Altman's "return of the king"? OpenAI board reportedly negotiating with him over his return
Microsoft prepares office arrangements for an influx of OpenAI employees
According to the latest report by overseas tech media Axios, Microsoft is preparing to welcome Sam Altman and OpenAI employees, including freeing up office space and equipping computing resources. According to people familiar with the matter, Microsoft is setting up an office space in the San Francisco office of its subsidiary LinkedIn. It is worth mentioning that this location is only a 10-minute drive from OpenAI's main building in San Francisco.
English report:Axios – Microsoft prepares for influx of OpenAI employees
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Microsoft opens its arms to OpenAI employees! It is said to have freed up office space and equipped computers
OpenAI encourages employees to focus on work amid board chaos
OpenAI product vice president Peter Deng said in a letter to employees on Tuesday that it is time to "set sail again." The move is intended to keep the company focused on software development and building partnerships, rather than the "will he come back" drama over whether Altman, who was fired by the board last Friday, will return as CEO. Deng said in the letter that the "best way to direct our energy" is to develop AI products.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI Encourages Staff to Focus on Work Despite Boardroom Chaos
Chinese report:Cailian Press – OpenAI product vice president calls on employees to return to the company to work
Before Altman's ouster, the OpenAI board had already begun to split and was constantly fighting
According to The New York Times, before Sam Altman was expelled from OpenAI last week, he and the company's board had been quarreling for more than a year. As OpenAI became a mainstream name because of its popular ChatGPT chatbot, tensions on the board became more serious. A few weeks before Sam Altman was removed from the CEO position, he called a research paper co-authored by OpenAI board member Helen Toner criticizing the company, and expelled the board member.
English report 1:
The New York Times – Before Altman’s Ouster, OpenAI’s Board Was Divided and Feuding
English report 2:The Information – Altman Argued With OpenAI Board Member Toner Before Ouster
Microsoft is discussing a list of governance reforms it plans to ask the OpenAI board to make
According to people familiar with the matter, Microsoft is discussing a list of governance reforms it plans to ask the OpenAI board to make, in order to improve the board's operation and prevent Microsoft from being caught off guard again in OpenAI's major future strategic moves. Microsoft, which has already offered to hire Altman, said it is willing to let Altman return to OpenAI as long as certain conditions are met. Regardless of the outcome, Microsoft hopes to resolve the governance problems that led the current OpenAI board to fire Altman.
English report:Bloomberg – Microsoft Is Discussing Governance Changes It Wants From OpenAI
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Angered by being "acted upon first and reported afterward"! Microsoft wants to intervene in reshaping the OpenAI board
OpenAI: Altman will return to the company as CEO, former U.S. Treasury secretary joins new board
OpenAI announced on social platform X that an agreement in principle has been reached and Altman will return to the company as CEO. The new board list shows that only Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo remains, while former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers join the newly established board.
Related report:STAR Market Daily – OpenAI officially announces Altman's return to the company as CEO, board launches "reset"
November 22 · Another reversal, confirmed returnOpenAI: Altman will return to the company as CEO, former U.S. Treasury Secretary joins new board
OpenAI announced on the social platform X that an agreement in principle has been reached for Altman to return to the company as CEO. The new board list shows that only Quora CEO Adam D’Angelo was retained, while former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers joined the newly formed board.
Related reports:STAR Market Daily – OpenAI officially announces Ultraman's return to the company as CEO, board initiates "reset"
Microsoft is discussing a list of governance reforms it plans to ask the OpenAI board to make
According to people familiar with the matter, Microsoft is discussing a list of governance reforms it plans to ask the OpenAI board to make, in order to improve the board's operations and prevent Microsoft from being caught off guard again by OpenAI's major future strategic moves. Microsoft, which has already offered to hire Altman, said it is willing to let Altman return to OpenAI as long as certain conditions are met. Regardless of the outcome, Microsoft hopes to resolve the governance issues that led the existing OpenAI board to fire Altman.
English report:Bloomberg – Microsoft Is Discussing Governance Changes It Wants From OpenAI
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Angered by being kept in the dark! Microsoft wants to intervene in reshaping the OpenAI board
Before Altman's ouster, the OpenAI board had already begun to split and was constantly at odds
According to The New York Times, before Sam Altman was ousted from OpenAI last week, he and the company's board had been arguing for more than a year. As OpenAI became a mainstream name because of its popular ChatGPT chatbot, tensions on the board became more serious. A few weeks before Sam Altman was removed as CEO, he expelled board member Helen Toner after a research paper she co-authored criticized the company.
English report 1:The New York Times – Before Altman’s Ouster, OpenAI’s Board Was Divided and Feuding
English report 2:The Information – Altman Argued With OpenAI Board Member Toner Before Ouster
OpenAI encourages employees to focus on work amid board chaos
OpenAI Vice President of Product Peter Deng said in a letter to employees on Tuesday that it is time to "set sail again." The move is intended to keep the company focused on software development and building partnerships, rather than the "will he come back" drama over whether Altman, who was fired by the board last Friday, will return as CEO. Deng said in the letter that the "best way to direct our energy" is to develop AI products.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI Encourages Staff to Focus on Work Despite Boardroom Chaos
Chinese report:Cailian Press – OpenAI product vice president calls on employees to return to the office
Microsoft prepares office space for an influx of OpenAI employees
According to the latest report by overseas tech media outlet Axios, Microsoft is preparing to welcome Sam Altman and OpenAI employees, including freeing up office space and equipping computing resources. According to people familiar with the matter, Microsoft is setting up office space at its LinkedIn office in San Francisco. It is worth noting that this location is only a 10-minute drive from OpenAI's main building in San Francisco.
English report:Axios – Microsoft prepares for influx of OpenAI employees
Chinese report:Cailian Press – Microsoft opens its arms to OpenAI employees! It is said to have freed up office space and equipped computers
OpenAI board reportedly negotiating with Sam Altman over return
According to media reports, OpenAI co-founder and former CEO Sam Altman and members of the company's board have begun negotiations, and the two sides are exploring the possibility of Altman returning to OpenAI. A person familiar with the matter said that one scenario currently under discussion is that Altman would return to OpenAI as a director on a transition board.
English report:Bloomberg – Sam Altman, OpenAI Board Open Talks to Negotiate His Possible Return
Chinese report:Cailianpress – Altman's "return of the king"? OpenAI board reportedly negotiating with him over return
November 21 · Aftermath ongoing, earthquake continuesOpenAI is actively discussing "reuniting" the company
According to a memo sent to employees on Monday by Anna Makanju, OpenAI's vice president of global affairs, OpenAI is engaged in active discussions to "reunite" the company. OpenAI employees are "staying in touch" with founder Sam Altman and "engaging with" the CEO and the board. OpenAI said our number one goal is for OpenAI to reunite.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI in ‘Intense Discussions’ to Quell Potential Mutiny
Chinese report:Sina Finance – Memo: OpenAI is actively discussing "reunification"
OpenAI board had contacted competitor Anthropic to discuss merger
According to media reports citing people familiar with the matter, after ousting Sam Altman, the OpenAI board explored a merger between the two companies with Dario Amodei, co-founder and CEO of its major competitor, the star AI startup Anthropic. The people familiar with the matter said the OpenAI board tried to persuade Dario Amodei to take over as OpenAI CEO, so the merger was discussed. But Amodei rejected the proposal.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s Board Approached Anthropic About Merger
Chinese report:Wallstreetcn – OpenAI board had contacted competitor Anthropic to discuss merger
Altman may still return to OpenAI, Microsoft CEO says: open to this
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said he is open to Sam Altman returning to OpenAI; Nadella said that whether Altman joins Microsoft or returns to OpenAI, the entrepreneur will work with Microsoft; he also said that either way, OpenAI needs to reform its governance.
English report:CNBC – Microsoft CEO Nadella says OpenAI governance needs to change no matter where Altman ends up
Chinese report:Cailianpress – Altman may still return to OpenAI, Microsoft CEO says: open to this
Report says OpenAI investors are considering suing the company's board
Reuters cited people familiar with the matter as saying that some OpenAI investors are considering legal action against the company's board and are currently discussing it with legal counsel. Investors are worried that the hundreds of millions of dollars they invested in OpenAI could suffer "catastrophic losses", because the hot company appears to be facing the risk of collapse.
English report:Reuters – OpenAI investors considering suing the board after CEO’s abrupt firing
Chinese report:IT Home – Report says OpenAI investors are considering suing the company's board
Salesforce CEO posts invitation for researchers who resigned from OpenAI to join
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff extended an olive branch, inviting researchers who resigned from OpenAI to join. Benioff posted on X that Salesforce will offer researchers who resigned from OpenAI compensation matching what they had before. Benioff invited these employees to join the Salesforce Einstein Trusted AI research team led by Silvio Savarese.
OpenAI once tried to invite the former GitHub CEO and Scale AI founder to serve as interim CEO
According to people familiar with the matter, before former Twitch CEO Emmett Shear accepted the position of OpenAI interim CEO, the board had invited Nat Friedman (former CEO of Microsoft-owned GitHub and a prolific investor in AI startups) as well as Scale AI co-founder and CEO Alex Wang to take the position. The people familiar with the matter said both declined the offer.
English report:The Information – Former GitHub CEO Friedman, Scale AI Founder Wang Declined OpenAI Top Job
Altman says his top priority with the Microsoft CEO is to ensure OpenAI thrives
Sam Altman said on social media, "Satya and my top priority remains ensuring OpenAI continues to 'thrive.' We will honor our commitment to 'fully providing operational continuity to our partners and customers.' The partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft makes this highly feasible."
Report says Altman is still willing to return to OpenAI as CEO, provided the board steps down
Altman's move to Microsoft has not yet been finalized, and Ilya Sutskever's shift to supporting Altman means two board members need to change their minds. Multiple sources told The Verge that if the remaining board members who fired him step down, he and co-founder Greg Brockman are still willing to return to OpenAI.
English report:The Verge – Sam Altman is still trying to return as OpenAI CEO
Chinese report:ITHome – Report says Altman is still willing to return to OpenAI as CEO, provided the board steps down
More than 100 OpenAI customers contacted competitor Anthropic
According to people familiar with the matter, over the weekend more than 100 OpenAI customers contacted its competitor Anthropic, a startup that has raised billions of dollars from Amazon and Google in recent months. The people familiar with the matter said other customers also contacted Google Cloud and OpenAI startup competitor Cohere, and many OpenAI customers are also considering switching to Microsoft's Azure service, which offers copies of OpenAI models and other models.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s Customers Consider Defecting to Anthropic, Microsoft, Google
Chinese report:Sina – More than 100 OpenAI customers contacted competitor Anthropic
November 20 · Talks break down, return failsMore than 700 OpenAI employees signed a collective resignation letter demanding the reinstatement of Altman and Brockman
According to foreign media outlet Wired, on Monday local time, more than 500 (now more than 700) OpenAI employees signed an open letter threatening to collectively resign to force OpenAI's board to step down and restore Sam Altman as CEO and co-founder Greg Brockman as president. Interestingly, the signatories of the open letter also include the name of Ilya Sutskever.
English report:Wired – OpenAI Staff Threaten to Quit Unless Board Resigns
Chinese report:Huxiu – Nearly 500 OpenAI employees sign a joint resignation letter demanding the reinstatement of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman
Ilya Sutskever posts: Deeply regrets participating in the board's actions
OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever said on the social platform X that he deeply regrets participating in the board's actions, and that he never intended to harm OpenAI. "I love everything we have built together, and I will do everything I can to bring the company back together."
OpenAI executives and employees post collectively: OpenAI is nothing without its employees
OpenAI executives (including the CTO and COO) and employees flooded the social platform X together! They all said the same thing: OpenAI is nothing without its people. Translated: Without employees, OpenAI is nothing. Sam Altman reposted many such posts and replied with a "heart."
OpenAI interim CEO promises to investigate Altman's ouster and reform management
OpenAI interim chief executive Emmett Shear vowed on Monday to hire an independent investigator to investigate the sudden ouster of co-founder Sam Altman, and to reform the management team within the next 30 days, in hopes of restoring trust in the U.S. startup after a dramatic weekend.
English report:Business Insider – OpenAI’s New CEO Reveals Plans for His First 30 Days in 1 a.m. X Post
Chinese report:ITHome – OpenAI interim CEO promises to investigate Altman's ouster and reform management
Microsoft CEO: Altman and Brockman will join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, OpenAI's largest shareholder and partner, announced that OpenAI founder and former CEO Sam Altman and former president Greg Brockman will join Microsoft. Nadella said that Altman and Brockman and their colleagues will join Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team. Nadella also confirmed in a tweet that Emmett Shear will serve as OpenAI CEO, "and we look forward to getting to know and working with Emmett Shear and OAI's new leadership team."
English report:The Verge – Microsoft hires former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Chinese report:The Paper – Microsoft CEO: OpenAI founder Altman and Brockman will join Microsoft
Sam Altman fails to return to OpenAI, board has appointed Emmett Shear as interim CEO
OpenAI co-founder and board director Ilya Sutskever said that despite company executives' efforts to bring Sam Altman back, he will not serve as OpenAI CEO again. Sutskever told employees that after a weekend of negotiations with the board that fired him on Friday, as well as remaining leaders and top investors, Altman will not return to the startup he co-founded in 2015. Sutskever said that Emmett Shear, co-founder of Amazon-owned video streaming site Twitch, will take over as interim chief executive.
English report:The Information – Emmett Shear Becomes Interim OpenAI CEO as Altman Talks Break Down
Chinese report:ITHome – Report says Altman's return to OpenAI failed, board has appointed Emmett Shear as interim CEO
If Altman returns to OpenAI, Microsoft will consider joining the board
According to two people familiar with the matter, Microsoft, OpenAI's largest backer, is considering plans to take a seat on the board if ousted CEO Sam Altman returns to the company. One of the people familiar with the matter said Microsoft is considering joining OpenAI's board as a member or as a non-voting board observer.
English report:The Information – Microsoft Eyes Seat on OpenAI’s Revamped Board
Chinese report:Sina Finance – Report says if Altman returns to OpenAI, Microsoft is considering obtaining a board seat at OpenAI
OpenAI board negotiations deadlock over the composition and role of the board after Altman's return to the company
According to people familiar with the matter, a group of OpenAI executives and investors tried to restore Sam Altman to the CEO position, but became deadlocked over the composition and role of the board. Although negotiations are still ongoing, a solution may emerge soon. OpenAI's leadership team wants to dissolve the board, but the directors refuse. The board set 5 p.m. local time as the deadline for meeting Altman's demands.
English report:Bloomberg – OpenAI Leaders’ Efforts to Bring Back Altman Reach Impasse Over Board Role
Chinese report:Sina Finance – OpenAI executives and investors push to restore Altman's CEO position, negotiations stuck on the board issue
Altman posts a selfie wearing an OpenAI "visitor" badge on his chest
Altman posted a photo of himself at OpenAI's San Francisco headquarters on the social media platform X, but he was wearing an OpenAI "visitor" badge around his neck, proving that his positions as CEO and director have not yet been fully restored.
Altman and Brockman arrive at OpenAI headquarters, executives push to restore their positions
A person familiar with the matter said that two days after the OpenAI board fired Sam Altman, on Sunday local time, Sam Altman joined executives at the company's San Francisco headquarters to push the board to restore him and other recently departed executives to their positions. According to people familiar with the matter, interim CEO Mira Murati earlier told employees that she and the leadership team had invited Altman. One of the people familiar with the matter said that former OpenAI chairman and president Greg Brockman also arrived at the office on Sunday.
English report:The Information – Altman, Brockman Arrive at OpenAI Headquarters as Execs Push to Reinstate Them
Chinese report:IT Home – Former OpenAI CEO Sam and former President Greg meet with executives at San Francisco headquarters
Musk: The risk of developing advanced AI is very high, OpneAI should disclose the reason for firing Altman
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that because the potential danger of developing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology is very high, OpenAI, as currently the world's most powerful artificial intelligence company, should explain why it fired its CEO Sam Altman.
English report:Business Insider – Musk Says Risk of AI so High OpenAI Should Say Why It Fired Sam Altman
Chinese report:NetEase Tech – Musk: The risk of developing advanced AI is very high, OpneAI should disclose the reason for firing Altman
November 19 · External pressure, return is expectedOpenAI internal memo: Optimistic about recalling Altman and Brockman
People familiar with the matter revealed that OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon told employees in a memo on Saturday evening, U.S. Eastern Time, that OpenAI is "optimistic" about being able to have Sam Altman, Greg Brockman and other key employees return to their positions.
English report:The Information – OpenAI ‘Optimistic’ It Can Bring Back Sam Altman, Greg Brockman
Chinese report:Tencent Technology – OpenAI: Optimistic about recalling Altman and Brockman, answer to be revealed early Monday morning
OpenAI's investors are pressuring the board to bring Sam Altman back to the company
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that OpenAI's investors are pressuring the OpenAI board to reverse the decision to remove him. The people familiar with the matter also said that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has remained in contact with Altman and has promised to support him no matter what Altman does next.
English report 1:Bloomberg – OpenAI Board Urged by Microsoft, Investors to Restore Altman
English report 2:The Verge – OpenAI board in discussions with Sam Altman to return as CEO
Chinese report:STAR Market Daily – Investors pressure, board relents, will Altman return to OpenAI?
Sam Altman plans to found a new AI company
According to a person familiar with the matter, recently ousted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been telling investors that he plans to launch a new artificial intelligence company. The person said former OpenAI President Greg Brockman is also expected to join the company, and the project is still in development. It is not yet clear what the exact nature of the venture is; it may be an AI chip company.
English report:The Information – OpenAI Co-Founder Altman Plans New AI Venture
After Sam Altman was fired, OpenAI's $86 billion stock sale fell into trouble
According to a person familiar with the matter, the tender offer for OpenAI at an $86 billion valuation, previously led by Thrive Capital, has not yet ended but has entered its final stage and is expected to be completed as soon as next month. As of Saturday, three former OpenAI employees who planned to participate in the tender said they no longer expected the sale to happen, or even if it did, its valuation would be lower due to recent developments.
English report:The Information – OpenAI’s $86 Billion Share Sale in Jeopardy Following Altman Firing
Internal OpenAI memo says there was no "malfeasance" behind Sam Altman's firing
According to Axios, citing an internal memo from OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was not fired because of "malfeasance or anything related to our financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices," but because of "a breakdown in communication between Sam Altman and the board."
English report:Axios – No “malfeasance” behind Sam Altman’s firing, OpenAI memo says
Chinese report:Cailian Press – OpenAI memo says there was no "malfeasance" behind Sam Altman's firing
November 18 · The beginning of the ouster, personnel turmoilReport: Three senior OpenAI researchers announce their resignation
According to The Information, three senior OpenAI researchers announced their resignations, saying they were influenced by the firing of OpenAI's former CEO Sam Altman and the sudden resignation of President Greg Brockman. The three senior researchers include the company's head of research Jakub Pachocki, Aleksander Madry, the head of the team assessing AI's potential risks, and Szymon Sidor, a researcher who has worked there for 7 years.
English report:The Information – Three Senior OpenAI Researchers Resign as Crisis Deepens
Chinese report:ITHome - After the CEO and president, it is reported that three more senior OpenAI researchers have announced their resignations
Sam Altman speaks out: If he 'goes off,' the board would claim damages
Sam Altman, the former CEO who was earlier removed by OpenAI, once again posted on X, claiming that if he 'goes off,' OpenAI's board would pursue him for the full value of his shares. (if i start going off, the openai board should go after me for the full value of my shares)
Greg Brockman posts about the details of the fallout from Altman's removal
Greg Brockman posted that last night, Altman received a text message from the company's chief scientist Ilya Sutskever asking to talk at noon on Friday. Sutskever told Altman he would be fired, and the news quickly spread. At 12:23 p.m. on Friday, Sutskever sent a Google Meet meeting link. Brockman was told that he would be removed from the board, and that Altman had already been fired. Brockman was also removed from his position as board chairman (but was not fired by the company). He then announced that he would leave the company. According to Brockman's understanding, company CTO Mira Murati had known about the company's decision on Thursday night; apart from her, they were all notified at the last minute.
OpenAI co-founder and chairman Greg Brockman announces he will resign
Greg Brockman posted on X: 'Based on today's news, I quit.' The full text of the response: 'Since we started working together in my apartment 8 years ago, I have been very proud of what we all built together. We went through difficult and good times together, and despite all sorts of reasons, we still achieved so much. But based on today's news, I quit. I sincerely wish you all the best. I still firmly believe in the mission of creating safe artificial general intelligence that benefits all of humanity.'
Microsoft CEO responds: Will continue to be committed to long-term cooperation with OpenAI
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella posted: 'As you saw this week at Microsoft Ignite, we will continue to innovate rapidly for this AI era, with more than 100 announcements across the entire technology stack - from AI systems, models, and tools in Azure to Copilot. Most importantly, we are committed to delivering all of this to our customers while building the future. We have a long-term agreement with OpenAI, with full access to everything we need to realize our innovation agenda and exciting product roadmap, and we remain committed to maintaining the partnership with Mira and her team. Together, we will continue to bring the meaningful benefits of this technology to the world.'
OpenAI to hold all-hands meeting after CEO departure
According to people familiar with the matter, after OpenAI decided to fire CEO Sam Altman, the company's newly appointed interim CEO Mira Murati and her team will address company employees on Friday afternoon local time. The company hopes to dispel employees' concerns about issues such as the company's future financing prospects.
Related reports:Cailian Press – OpenAI to hold all-hands meeting after CEO departure
Sam Altman responds: More information will be provided later
Sam Altman posted on X: "I loved my time at OpenAI. It was transformative for me personally, and hopefully a little bit for the world. Most of all I loved working with such talented people. More information will be provided later."
Former Google CEO publishes a post discussing OpenAI CEO's departure
Former Google CEO Schmidt published a post thanking Altman for his contributions to artificial intelligence. Schmidt said, "Sam Altman is a hero to me. He took a company from nothing to a $90 billion valuation and changed our collective world forever. I can't wait to see what he does next. I and billions of people will benefit from his future work – it's going to be incredible. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us."
OpenAI suddenly removes CEO Sam Altman; board says it has lost confidence in his leadership ability
OpenAI issued an announcement stating that Sam Altman will step down as CEO and leave the board, and Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has been appointed interim CEO. In addition, Greg Brockman will step down as chairman of the board and remain in a company role. OpenAI said: "Before Altman's departure, the board conducted a deliberate review and concluded that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering his ability to perform his duties, and the board no longer believes in his ability to continue leading OpenAI."
Full text of the announcement:OpenAI announces leadership transition