Bloomberg learned about the intention of OpenAI investors to return Sam Altman

OpenAI's largest investors are demanding that the company reinstate Sam Altman as CEO. This is reported by Bloomberg with reference to informed sources.

On November 17, OpenAI announced the dismissal of Altman, technical Director Mira Murati became interim CEO. The Board of Directors made a decision based on the results of an internal audit.

Against the background of the incident, co-founder and president Greg Brockman left the company.

After learning today's news, this is the message I sent to the OpenAI team: https://t.co/NMnG16yFmm pic.twitter.com/8x39P0ejOM

"Sam and I are shocked and we are saddened by what the board has done today," he said.

According to Bloomberg interlocutors, investors led by Microsoft Corporation — the largest sponsor of OpenAI with a share of $ 10 billion — are making efforts to return Altman. Thrive Capital and Tiger Global Management are also participating in the campaign.

The initiators of the ex-CEO's reinstatement insist on replacing the current composition of the board of directors. The board is supposedly ready to resign, but the final decision has not yet been made.

Thrive, which is to lead the tender for shares for OpenAI employees, has not yet transferred the money and made it clear to the company that Altman's departure will affect its next steps. One of the largest investors is seeking the return of both the ex-head of the firm and Brockman.

According to Bloomberg sources, Altman is ready to return to the company if management methods change. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella promised him support in all further steps.

As an alternative, the former CEO of OpenAI is considering creating a new project, possibly together with colleagues at the firm. Venture investor Vinod Khosla said he would like Altman to return to the company, but "will support any of his subsequent actions."

To be clear, Khosla Ventures wants @sama back at @OpenAI but will back him in whatever he does next

According to the memos made available to The Information and Bloomberg, OpenAI is counting on Altman's reinstatement. Director of Strategy Jason Kwon said that management will be able to give some information on Sunday.

Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said that Altman's dismissal "was not the result of official violations, financial rules of the company or security measures." According to him, the reason for the unexpected decision of the board was "a failure in communication between Sam and the board of directors." He also added that Microsoft remains fully interested in OpenAI as an investor.

Recall that shortly before his dismissal, Altman revealed plans to create a general artificial intelligence, revealed the details of GPT-5 and shed light on the partnership between OpenAI and Microsoft.