Sam Altman to return as OpenAI CEO days after ousting

Sam Altman will return as OpenAI CEO days after his ousting caused turmoil at the tech company known for developing ChatGPT after hundreds of employees threatened to quit.

Altman said Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, that he is "looking forward to returning" to OpenAI with the new board and the support of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. 

OpenAI's board had unexpectedly removed Altman as CEO on Friday. By Sunday, Altman decided to join Microsoft. Hundreds of OpenAI employees this week responded by signing a letter giving the board an ultimatum to resign or the workers would leave and join Microsoft. 

OpenAI revealed a new board with former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and original board member Adam D'Angelo as directors, according to Reuters. 

Nadella said on X that he is "encouraged by the changes to the OpenAI board" and that Microsoft looks "forward to building on our strong partnership and delivering the value of this next generation of AI to our customers and partners."

Microsoft is a 49% owner of OpenAI. 

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