Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO with Microsoft Joining Board

Sam Altman is officially back as CEO of OpenAI, with Microsoft joining the OpenAI's board as a non-voting observer. Just over a month after being abruptly fired by OpenAI's board, Altman reassumed the CEO role.

The leadership change comes alongside a restructuring of OpenAI's board. Bret Taylor will chair the new committee as an independent director, along with former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo.

Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, will gain visibility into the company's governance through a non-voting observer seat on the board. The tech giant has committed over $10 billion to partner with OpenAI but had no insight into decision-making at the nonprofit level.

In his first message to employees since returning, Altman expressed optimism about OpenAI's future and gratitude to staff. He said there is no ill will toward OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, who will no longer serve on the board but may continue his work at the company.

Altman's abrupt ousting last month raised questions about OpenAI's direction. With Altman back in charge and Microsoft involved at the board level, OpenAI appears to be settling its leadership turmoil.