Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO After Unrest and Investigation

San Francisco, CA — Sam Altman has returned as CEO of OpenAI following a brief but tumultuous period that led to his firing by the board of directors. The unexpected change came to light on November 17, 2023, when the board stated Altman was dismissed for not being candid in communications.

Days after his firing, a majority of OpenAI employees signed a letter demanding the board’s resignation and urging for Altman’s reinstatement. The situation escalated as individuals within the company expressed their support for Altman on social media, and one board member, Ilya Sutskever, even publicly regretted the decision.

Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced that Altman and former OpenAI President Greg Brockman would lead a new AI research team at Microsoft. However, negotiations continued, and on November 21, the board relented, agreeing to resign, thus allowing Altman and Brockman to return to OpenAI.

This leadership turmoil coincided with significant developments at OpenAI, including a new $200 million contract signed with the U.S. Defense Department on June 17, 2025, for AI tools aimed at national security challenges. The deal emphasizes OpenAI’s rapidly increasing influence, with expectations for a completion date set for July 2026.

As OpenAI prepares to advance its AI technologies, which have attracted 500 million weekly active users, it is also on track for a major funding round that could elevate its valuation to $300 billion. Altman’s strategic vision and leadership will guide the organization through this transformative phase of AI integration in various sectors.

The return of Altman as CEO marks a significant shift in OpenAI’s path forward, amidst heightened scrutiny and ongoing discussions about the ethical boundaries of AI development.