Former OpenAI CEO Sam Altman returns to headquarters for talks following his abrupt ouster

Sam Altman, the lately ousted CEO of OpenAI, arrived as a visitor Sunday on the headquarters of the corporate he based.

Altman posted a photo of himself on X, previously Twitter, sporting an OpenAI customer badge, writing, “first and final time i ever put on one in every of these.”

Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief technique officer, additionally posted a photograph of Sam with the badge. Altman’s look at OpenAI HQ adopted information that the corporate’s traders have been pushing to reinstate him as CEO in the future after he was ousted by the board, in accordance with individuals aware of the matter.

Over the previous 24 hours, a big group of OpenAI workers, together with executives, even have expressed assist for Altman on social media by sharing hearts in response to one in every of his posts. Microsoft, Sequoia Capital, Tiger International and enterprise agency Thrive Capital are a part of an effort to reinstate Altman or have been in discussions with him, sources acquainted advised CNBC.

On Saturday morning, OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap wrote in a memo to workers, obtained by CNBC, that the board’s announcement took everybody abruptly.

“Now we have had a number of conversations with the board to attempt to higher perceive the explanations and course of behind their resolution,” Lightcap wrote. “These discussions, and choices relating to our path ahead, are ongoing this morning.”

These discussions have now developed into media reviews that Altman might return to the corporate, together with OpenAI president Greg Brockman, who give up Friday after information of Altman’s departure.

— CNBC’s Rohan Goswami and Jordan Novet contributed reporting.