ChatGPT creator, OpenAI, announced Tuesday that Sam Altman would return as its Chief Executive Officer, days after his shock dismissal plunged the pioneering artificial intelligence firm into crisis.

Altman’s dramatic exit on Friday sparked intense lobbying from OpenAI’s biggest investors, including tech titan Microsoft, for his return.

Hundreds of OpenAI staff had threatened to quit in a letter released to the media, demanding the resignation of the board as speculation swirled about the future of the company.

OpenAI wrote on X that it “reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, and Adam D’Angelo.

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“We are collaborating to figure out the details.”

Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, had announced this week that he would hire Altman to lead an AI research team.

Altman said on Tuesday that his return had Nadella’s backing.

Microsoft has invested billions of dollars into OpenAI, incorporating its tech into various products including its search engine Bing.

AFP