Over 500 OpenAI employees are threatening to resign and demanding the resignation of the company’s board following the abrupt removal of CEO Sam Altman, which culminated in Altman’s subsequent hiring by Microsoft. In a letter obtained by CNN, the employees accused the board of mishandling Altman’s firing, lacking transparency in justifying the decision, and engaging in what they described as “negotiating in bad faith” with the company’s leadership.
The employees asserted that the board’s actions demonstrated incompetence and a disregard for OpenAI’s mission and its workforce. They warned of their imminent departure to Microsoft unless the board resigns and reinstates Altman and Greg Brockman, the former OpenAI president also removed by the board.
Among the signatories is Mira Murati, initially named Altman’s interim successor, and Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s co-founder, chief scientist, and board member, who had been implicated in Altman’s dismissal. Sutskever later issued an apology, acknowledging his role in the leadership crisis and expressing regret for any harm caused to OpenAI.
The letter underscores internal divisions at OpenAI following Altman’s firing, casting uncertainty on the status of the three non-employee board members: Adam D’Angelo, CEO of Quora; Tasha McCauley, a technology entrepreneur; and Helen Toner, director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
According to the letter, the board allegedly suggested that the destruction of the company would align with OpenAI’s mission, raising concerns about the commitment to ensuring artificial general intelligence benefits humanity.
The employees’ collective stance highlights Altman’s strong support within OpenAI and presents an opportunity for Microsoft to absorb talent, as the tech giant has reportedly assured positions for all OpenAI employees. Altman, amplifying an apology from Sutskever, endorsed the sentiment with three heart emojis in a brief commentary.