"Reinstate Altman" 505 OpenAI Employees Protest by Submitting Resignations

Following the sudden dismissal and failed reinstatement of Sam Altman, the former CEO of OpenAI known as the 'father of ChatGPT,' he has ultimately decided to join Microsoft (MS). Meanwhile, a letter warning of a mass resignation by more than 500 OpenAI employees has been revealed. The letter threatens to resign and move to MS if the board does not step down and Altman is not reinstated.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

IT media outlet The Verge and others reported on the 20th (local time), citing a letter disclosed by journalist Kara Swisher on her social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Among the approximately 700 OpenAI employees, 505 signed the letter stating they would resign if the board does not reinstate Altman and Greg Brockman, the co-founder who left OpenAI after Altman’s dismissal.

They criticized the board’s sudden ousting as "jeopardizing all work and damaging our mission and company," asserting that "it has become clear that you lack the capability to oversee OpenAI." Furthermore, they stated, "We cannot work with people who lack competence, judgment, and consideration for employees," and warned, "Those who signed below may join the MS subsidiary led by Altman and Brockman." They set conditions for staying at OpenAI, including the resignation of the entire current board, the return of Altman and Brockman, and the appointment of two new independent directors.

They also refuted claims regarding the speed of AI development cited as a reason for Altman’s dismissal. They said, "Our work on AI safety and governance is setting global standards," dismissing concerns that development is proceeding without sufficient caution about AI risks.

The letter was made public just hours after Altman’s move to MS was announced that morning. Key OpenAI members, including Mira Murati, Jason Kwon, and Ilya Sutskever?who was reportedly instrumental in Altman’s ousting?all signed the letter. Sutskever posted on X that morning, "I deeply regret participating in the board’s actions," adding, "I have no intention of harming OpenAI. I love everything we have built together and will do everything I can to reunite the company." Altman quoted this post and added three hearts.

Currently, about 700 people work at OpenAI, and the number of signatories is reportedly still increasing beyond those publicly disclosed. MS has guaranteed positions for these employees at the subsidiary led by Altman.

Local media reported that OpenAI remains in turmoil after its CEO was replaced three times in just three days. Previously, the OpenAI board appointed Mira Murati as interim CEO immediately after Altman’s ousting. However, when Murati and other executives sided with Altman and discussions about his reinstatement?pressured by investors?failed, Twitch founder Emmett Shear was announced as interim CEO the night before.

However, The Verge added, "The letter appears to have been written after last night’s (Altman’s reinstatement failure) events," and "It may be too late for the OpenAI board to meet the demands."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.