Sam Altman’s Experience of Being Fired and Rehired at OpenAI: An Inside Look

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was asked to return to the company a day after being fired by the board. Initially feeling defiant, hurt, and angry, Altman changed his mind, recognizing his love for the company and the progress it was making on the mission of safe and beneficial AGI. After a five-day boardroom coup, Altman officially returned as CEO on Wednesday, with Microsoft planning to take a non-voting board seat.

During an interview with Altman and CTO Mira Murati, a review by the new board was mentioned, but Altman declined to answer why he was fired. He also emphasized the importance of not interfering and welcoming the review process. When pressed further, Altman stated that he looks forward to learning more during the independent review.

Altman was hesitant at first when the Board asked him to come back, but he quickly realized the love for the company and the progress it was making, ultimately accepting the offer. He expressed appreciation for the team and the incredible work they do.

In terms of the governance structure, Altman mentioned that he believes it will take considerable time to fix the issues. While the review takes place, the team remains focused on continuing its research and progress in the technology. No changes were mentioned regarding OpenAI’s approach to safety work.

When asked about the recent Q* model breakthrough, a specific comment was not provided, but Altman reiterated their commitment to making progress in technology safe and beneficial without any change in approach. Finally, when asked about the lessons learned from the saga, Altman mentioned his realization that the company can function without him, attributing it to strong leadership and mentorship.

Ultimately, the interview did not reveal details of Altman’s firing, which is expected to be explored further during the independent review process.

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