OpenAI names new initial board with Sam Altman as CEO

The news: Sam Altman has announced his official return as OpenAI CEO, along with the appointment of a new initial board consisting of chair Bret Taylor, Larry Summers and Adam D'Angelo and a non-voting observer spot for Microsoft.

The context: In messages shared with the company and posted on OpenAI's blog on Tuesday, returning Altman and Taylor confirmed that Greg Brockman, who stood down as president after Altman's ouster, will return to his previous role, and Mira Murati, who was dismissed as Altman's interim CEO replacement after three days, will be reinstated as CTO. Only one of the four board members who abruptly fired Altman on 17 November remains (D'Angelo), while Microsoft's non-voting observer status means OpenAI's largest investor will have greater visibility, having held no board position until now.

What they said: Altman wrote in his message to the company: "I am sure books are going to be written about this time period, and I hope the first thing they say is how amazing the entire team has been. Now that we’re through all of this, we didn’t lose a single employee. You stood firm for each other, this company, and our mission. One of the most important things for the team that builds AGI safely is the ability to handle stressful and uncertain situations, and maintain good judgment throughout. Top marks. Thank you all."