Investors Push to Bring Back Sam Altman as OpenAI CEO After Unexpected Ousting

OpenAI investors are pushing to bring back Sam Altman as CEO one day after he was ousted by the board, according to people familiar with the matter. Brad Lightcap, an executive at OpenAI, addressed the recent news of Altman’s firing in a brief memo to employees on Saturday and provided some more transparency about the decision.

Lightcap said Altman’s firing “took everyone by surprise” and that multiple ongoing conversations are being held with the board to gain more information about the reasons behind the decision. He also assured employees that the company remains in a strong position and that the board’s decision was not made in response to any malfeasance or anything related to OpenAI’s financial, business, safety, or security/privacy practices.

Microsoft, Tiger Global and venture firm Thrive Capital are among several of OpenAI’s top backers that are part of an effort to reinstate Altman, said a source, who asked not to be named because discussions are confidential. Sequoia, another major investor, has also informed Microsoft that it would back efforts to bring back Altman and Greg Brockman, the former OpenAI president.

The source added that Sequoia supports Altman and Brockman in whatever they choose to do next, whether it’s returning to OpenAI or creating a new startup. It remains unclear if the efforts to reinstate Altman will be successful, but the investors’ push to bring him back shows their confidence in his leadership and the direction of the company.