Guess who’s back? That’s right—Sam Altman is reclaiming his spot in the spotlight once more.Remember the whirlwind last November when Altman was swiftly ousted as the CEO of OpenAI and stripped of his role on the ChatGPT developer’s board, only to bounce back into the CEO chair just days later?
Well, now he’s making a comeback to the director’s seat as well.
In a recent blog post, OpenAI announced that Altman, alongside three seasoned business leaders, all women, will be joining the board.
The new additions include Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, a former Sony general counsel; and Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart and former Facebook executive.
The announcement coincides with the release of findings from an internal investigation conducted by law firm WilmerHale.
The investigation revealed a breakdown in trust that led to Altman’s previous removal, but concluded that his conduct didn’t warrant such action.
During a press call, Altman expressed relief that the drama was finally over, acknowledging the challenges and expressing remorse for specific incidents, including one involving former board member Helen Toner.
OpenAI has been working to stabilize its board following the tumultuous events of last year.
The interim board, formed after Altman’s removal, has been seeking new members to bring fresh perspectives and expertise.
Desmond-Hellmann’s connection to Bill Gates could prove valuable for OpenAI, considering Gates’ significant investment in the company.
Seligman’s experience in media and entertainment law may aid OpenAI in navigating legal challenges, while Simo’s background in technology and ecommerce adds further depth to the board.
Bret Taylor, chair of OpenAI’s board, highlighted additional governance changes aimed at improving transparency and accountability within the organization.
These include new corporate governance guidelines, enhanced conflict of interest policies, and the establishment of new committees.
The company’s governance has been under scrutiny, especially concerning its development of transformative AI technologies like ChatGPT and Dall-E. Altman’s sudden removal last year sparked controversy and internal unrest, ultimately leading to his reinstatement.
