OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Reinstated After November Firing Amid Board Concerns and $500 Billion Stargate Project For-Profit Conversion

New details have emerged regarding the internal conflict at OpenAI that led to the abrupt firing and subsequent reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman in November 2023. The OpenAI board's concerns centered on issues of transparency, governance, and safety disclosures, which prompted Altman's dismissal. Concurrently, a legal letter has accused OpenAI of attempting a substantial financial and control maneuver, described by an analyst as "the theft of the millennium," aimed at pressuring board members to accept a controversial restructuring. Central to the dispute is OpenAI's ongoing transition from its current hybrid non-profit/for-profit structure to a fully for-profit company. This shift raises questions about the future of OpenAI's $500 billion Stargate project and has sparked debate over the organization's mission and control. Critics highlight that control over the for-profit entity is crucial and view the conversion as a significant power grab, contrasting with Altman's previous stance against making decisions to benefit shareholders.