The OpenAI drama might be finally behind us after Sam Altman and the company reached an "in principle" agreement to bring back their former CEO and co-founder to lead the company once again.
Since Friday, there have been multiple developments with rumors and allegations of Altman neglecting AI safety.
Putting it mildly, the OpenAI saga has been rapid and dramatic. If you're trying to grasp how everything developed and eventually settled, here is the ultimate timeline of the OpenAI saga:
OpenAI Drama Timeline: From Ousting Altman To Bringing Him Back
Nov. 17: Sam Altman fired as OpenAI CEO, company names CTO Mira Murati as the interim CEO.
Nov. 18: Chief scientist Ilya Sutskever acknowledged the allegations of internal power shifts, adding that the board was "doing its duty to the mission of nonprofit."
Nov. 18: Former OpenAI president Greg Brockman revealed that he was removed from his position, and Altman was fired during a Google Meet call. Both expressed sadness in their first statements issued since the firing.
Nov. 19: A day after his firing, OpenAI board was reportedly in talks with Altman for a possible comeback.
Nov. 19: After being blindsided, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella sprang into action and threw his weight behind Altman.
Nov. 19: Altman was spotted at OpenAI offices with a Guest badge. "Last time I ever wear one of these," he said.
Nov. 20: OpenAI announced a surprise appointment, bringing in Twitch's former CEO Emmett Shear to lead the company. Murati After being announced as an interim CEO, she was replaced within two days of her appointment.
Nov. 20: After failing to get the OpenAI board to reinstate Altman, Nadella announced Altman and Brockman will lead a new advanced AI research team at Microsoft, along with their former OpenAI colleagues.
Nov. 20: Shear revealed Altman was not fired over AI safety concerns. He also underlined a three-point agenda for the next 30 days.
Nov. 20: OpenAI employees announced an open rebellion and demanded the company bring back Altman and Brockman. Eventually, 743 of 770 employees signed the letter.
Nov. 20: Sutskever, who triggered the ouster of Altman, said in a post that he "deeply" regretted participating in the campaign to remove Altman. Sutskever made this statement following the increase in the number of employees considering resignation at OpenAI, which had grown to encompass over 95% of the entire workforce.
Nov. 20: Amidst the ongoing crisis, OpenAI's board reportedly approached Anthropic for a merger.
Nov. 20: Salesforce Inc. (NYSE: CRM) CEO Marc Benioff began attempts to openly poach OpenAI staff, asking them to send their CVs directly to him.
Nov. 21: Sutskever, Altman, and their colleagues united in a show of solidarity. A disclosed OpenAI memo echoed this sentiment, stating, "we have a plan."
Nov. 21: Altman, OpenAI board member Adam D'Angelo, and other investors entered talks for Altman's return to the company.
Nov. 21: Amid all the chaos, OpenAI made ChatGPT Voice free for all.
Nov. 21: OpenAI and Microsoft were hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by author Julian Sancton.
Nov. 21: Reports of discontent among Microsoft staff after Nadella offered to hire Altman and other OpenAI employees.
Nov. 22: Report emerges suggesting Altman tried to oust board member Helen Toner, but eventually ended up being fired himself.
Nov. 22: Altman to return as OpenAI CEO. The company announces a new board, composed of Bret Taylor, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and D'Angelo.