In a shocking turn of events, over 500 OpenAI employees have signed a letter demanding the resignation of the company's board members. The letter, obtained by CNN, accuses the board of mishandling the firing of former CEO Sam Altman and engaging in bad faith negotiations with the executive leadership.

The OpenAI employees expressed their disappointment in the board's actions, stating that they are "incapable of overseeing OpenAI" and lacking competence, judgment, and care for the mission and employees of the company. The letter also called for the reinstatement of both Sam Altman and former president Greg Brockman, who were removed by the board on Friday.

Notably, among the signatories is Mira Murati, who just days ago was named Altman's interim successor. However, Murati's promotion was superseded by the appointment of incoming interim CEO Emmett Shear, co-founder of the livestreaming company Twitch.

The internal divisions within OpenAI came to light following Altman's surprising ouster, raising questions about the future of the company's three non-employee board members: Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, technology entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, and Helen Toner, director of strategy and foundational research grants at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

The letter emphasized the employees' loyalty to Altman and their intention to follow him to Microsoft if the board does not step down. Microsoft's assurance of offering positions to all OpenAI employees adds weight to this possibility.

In response to the letter, OpenAI co-founder, chief scientist, and board member Ilya Sutskever issued an apology on X expressing regret for his role in the leadership crisis. Sutskever, who was reportedly involved in Altman's dismissal, stated that he never intended to harm OpenAI and vowed to work towards reuniting the company.

The unfolding drama at OpenAI showcases a clash between Altman and the board concerning the pace and scope of AI development. The employees' letter amplifies Altman's loyal following and presents Microsoft with a unique opportunity to benefit from the situation.

As the fate of the board hangs in the balance, the future of OpenAI remains uncertain. The events surrounding Altman's departure have shed light on internal conflicts, leaving stakeholders and industry observers questioning the company's direction. Only time will tell how this power struggle within OpenAI will unfold and what it means for the future of artificial general intelligence.