Microsoft gives up observer seat on OpenAI board

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Microsoft's decision to give up its observer seat on OpenAI's board, citing significant progress at the company over the past eight months and confidence in its direction. It also provides context around Microsoft's previous involvement in securing Sam Altman's return as CEO and changes to OpenAI's governance.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Microsoft's Decision to Give Up Observer Seat

1. Why did Microsoft decide to give up its observer seat on OpenAI's board?

• Microsoft noted that it has seen "significant progress" at OpenAI over the last eight months and is confident in the company's direction.
• Microsoft no longer sees the observer seat as necessary, as the newly formed board has made significant progress.

2. What was Microsoft's role in securing Sam Altman's return as CEO and changes to OpenAI's governance?

• Microsoft played a key behind-the-scenes role in securing Altman's return as CEO and changes to OpenAI's governance after his ouster in November.

3. How does Microsoft's departure as an observer impact OpenAI's board?

• With Microsoft's departure, OpenAI no longer plans to have any observers on its board.
• This removes a potential sticking point for antitrust regulators who could object to Microsoft's significant entanglement with OpenAI.

[02] OpenAI's Board and Partnerships

1. How has OpenAI's board changed since November?

• OpenAI reconstituted its board beginning in November, retaining only one previous board member (Adam D'Angelo) and adding Bret Taylor as chairman and former Treasury secretary Larry Summers.
• The company later returned Altman to the board and continued to add members, most recently former NSA official Paul Nakasone.

2. What new partnership has OpenAI announced with Apple?

• Apple and OpenAI announced a partnership last month that will see iPhone and Mac users able to use Siri to query ChatGPT.
• Bloomberg reported that OpenAI planned to give Apple executive Phil Schiller an observer seat on its board.