Microsoft Assumes a Non-Voting Observer Position on OpenAI’s Board

According to Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, Microsoft is set to assume a non-voting observer position on OpenAI’s board. This move allows Microsoft’s representatives to attend board meetings and access confidential information, but they won’t possess voting rights concerning matters like director elections.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, who had previously recruited Altman to Microsoft after his departure from OpenAI, emphasized the necessity for governance reforms within the ChatGPT creator.

OpenAI recently announced a restructured board, appointing Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce, as chair along with Larry Summers, former US treasury secretary. Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora, who was previously part of the board that ousted Altman, remains on the board.

Bret Taylor conveyed via Twitter an intention to step back once transitional duties were fulfilled, entrusting OpenAI’s oversight to fellow board members. The new OpenAI board actively seeks individuals with expertise spanning technology, safety, and policy.

Microsoft, investing over $10 billion in OpenAI and owning 49% of the company, has not yet responded to queries for comments. Mira Murati, formerly OpenAI’s chief technology officer and briefly interim CEO after Altman’s departure, reassumes the role of the company’s CTO.

Altman, ousted in November from OpenAI without a detailed explanation, was reinstated after four days, promising a new board. His co-founder Greg Brockman, who exited with Altman, returns as president. Altman highlighted their partnership in managing the company despite uncertainties in depicting this on the organizational chart.

Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s chief scientist, is no longer part of the board, Altman confirmed. Sutskever initially joined the move to remove Altman but later supported Altman’s return, expressing remorse for his involvement in the board’s actions. Altman expressed admiration and no resentment toward Sutskever, mentioning ongoing discussions about Sutskever’s role at OpenAI.

Apart from Altman, Brockman, Sutskever, and D’Angelo, the previous OpenAI board included entrepreneur Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, director of strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

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