In a significant development, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is set to rejoin the company's board of directors following the completion of an internal review. The review, conducted by law firm WilmerHale, has prompted corporate governance changes at the renowned AI organization.

Altman's removal from his leadership position in November 2023 caused turmoil within the company. However, after a week of intense drama, Altman was reinstated as CEO, albeit without a seat on the board. Now, the board has unanimously decided that both Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman are the right leaders for OpenAI, according to the announcement made by board chairman Bret Taylor.

The internal review, which involved interviews with numerous individuals and an evaluation of over 30,000 documents, revealed a "breakdown in trust" between the prior board and Altman. While the board's actions were within their discretion, the review concluded that Altman's conduct did not warrant removal.

Notably, Altman's return comes at a time when Elon Musk, who was also instrumental in founding OpenAI, has filed a lawsuit against the company and its leadership. Musk accuses them of breaching contractual agreements and deviating from the original mission of developing AI for the benefit of humanity. In response, OpenAI released internal emails suggesting that Musk was also profit-oriented in his approach.

In an effort to bolster corporate governance and transparency, OpenAI has expanded its board by appointing three new members. Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nicole Seligman, former EVP and Global General Counsel of Sony, and Fidji Simo, CEO and Chair of Instacart, join the current board members Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Bret Taylor, along with Altman himself.

Additionally, OpenAI has implemented new corporate governance guidelines, a strengthened conflict of interest policy, and established a whistleblower hotline for employees and contractors. The board has also formed new committees focused on mission and strategy.

The reinstatement of Altman and the board's expansion come at a time when concerns about the rapid development and potential risks of artificial intelligence continue to rise. As a leading AI research organization, OpenAI is under scrutiny to demonstrate strict governance, transparency, and alignment with its stated mission.

Board chairman Bret Taylor stressed the organization's recognition of the responsibility in stewarding transformative technologies for the global good. With Altman's return and the implementation of enhanced governance measures, OpenAI aims to reinforce its commitment to advancing AI technology ethically and responsibly.