Sam Altman is making a surprising return as the CEO of OpenAI, following a recent boardroom crisis that plunged the company into turmoil. Greg Brockman, the former president who had resigned in protest of Altman's dismissal, is also coming back to the organization. OpenAI revealed that they have an "agreement in principle" for Altman's return, with a new board featuring Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo. D'Angelo, a holdover from the previous board, remains to provide continuity.

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This initial board's primary task is to select and appoint an expanded board of up to nine members, reshaping OpenAI's governance. Microsoft, a significant investor in the company, seeks a seat on the expanded board, alongside Altman himself. The power struggle within OpenAI appears to persist, and both sides have agreed to an investigation into the situation. Thrive Capital, another major investor, views Altman's return as the best outcome for the company and its mission.

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Sam Altman's return is a surprising turn of events, as the nonprofit board initially appeared determined to remove him, leading to employee revolt and threats to defect to Microsoft. The board members who opposed Altman have not disclosed the detailed reasons for his firing, despite legal threats and employee unrest. The shifting dynamics within the board, including the support of key figures like Ilya Sutskever, contributed to Altman's reinstatement. Interim CEO Emmett Shear had demanded evidence supporting Altman's dismissal and now views Altman's return as a solution that prioritizes safety and stakeholder interests.

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