Sam Altman isn't returning to OpenAI: All you need to know

Sam Altman, the ousted CEO of OpenAI

On Sunday, murmurs of Sam Altman's return to OpenAI were doing the rounds after reports emerged that he is in discussion with the Board that ousted him. After his dramatic exit from the company, the AI superstar was pictured at the headquarters of OpenAI with a guest badge. The caption read, “first and last time I ever wear one of these.”

Altman is believed to have set certain conditions for his return. However, the negotiations are believed to have come to a naught, latest media reports suggested. The OpenAI board has stuck to its stand of not allowing him to head the AI start up. The board has picked Emmett Shear, co-founder of video streaming site Twitch, as the interim CEO, Reuters reported quoting a report in The Information.

Also Read: Sam Altman will not return as CEO of OpenAI

Altman shot to the fame with the launch of ChatGPT, a bot that revolutionised the world of Artificial Intelligence. His ouster as CEO from the company triggered a massive uproar in the tech industry. Investors in OpenAI that includes the likes of Microsoft have strongly batted for his return. Reports suggested that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was playing a central role in holding the negotiations for Altman's return. Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI.

Also Read: OpenAI leaders' efforts to bring back Altman reach impasse over Board Role

Altman was ousted Friday in a dramatic move on grounds that he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board. Later, OpenAI;s President and a close associate of Altman, Greg Brockman, also left the company after he was stripped of his board seat.

Also Read: OpenAI execs invite Altman, Brockman to HQ, discuss possible return

Before the exit of Altman, the OpenAI board consisted of Altman, Brockman and Sutskever, as well as Quora Inc. CEO Adam D’Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley and Helen Toner, director of strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

The bone of contention is believed to be a clash between Altman and the board members led by Sutskever on how to steer OpenAI forward. Altman wants to expand the company's footprint by leveraging its position as an AI behemoth. He wants to add more customers and expand the product base. On the other hand, Sutskever and other board members are concerned about the safety of AI tools.

Also Read: Sam Altman sought billions for chip venture before OpenAI ouster

Altman is believed to be mulling a separate AI venture raising fear among OpenAI backers that he could potentially attract top talent from the AI powerhouse. It is not clear how soon those plans will fructify.