In a significant development, Open AI announced the completion of an internal investigation by U.S. law firm WilmerHale into the circumstances surrounding the ouster of CEO Sam Altman. Alongside this announcement, Altman will be reinstated to OpenAI’s board of directors.
The new board members appointed by Open AI are Dr. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Nicole Seligman, former EVP and Global General Counsel of Sony; and Fidji Simo, CEO and Chair of Instacart.
According to a release from OpenAI, the three new members will collaborate closely with current board members Adam D’Angelo, Larry Summers, and Bret Taylor, as well as Altman and the senior management team.
The internal investigation, initiated in December, aimed to shed light on the breakdown of trust between the previous board and Altman. Although the investigation did not uncover concerns related to product safety, security, finances, or statements to customers or partners, it identified a significant trust deficit between Altman and the board.
WilmerHale’s rigorous investigation involved numerous interviews with former board members, advisors, current executives, and other relevant parties, as well as the review of over 30,000 documents.
Altman’s return to the board marks a pivotal moment for Open AI, as the organisation seeks to move forward with a renewed sense of transparency and collaboration. The appointment of seasoned industry leaders to the board further strengthens Open AI’s governance and strategic direction.
As Open AI continues to navigate its path forward, the resolution of internal conflicts and the reinforcement of corporate governance mechanisms underscore the organization’s commitment to advancing responsible and ethical AI development.
