Cracks still remain when Ultraman returns: OpenAI employees held a welcome party, but the chief scientist did not attend

On Tuesday night local time, at an impromptu party held by OpenAI employees to celebrate Sam Altman's return as CEO, the company's chief scientist Ilya Sutskever was nowhere to be seen. The OpenAI co-founder and board member, who was a key player in Altman's sudden ouster last week, did not attend the celebrations, according to two people familiar with the matter.

An OpenAI spokesman declined to comment. Sutskov's lawyer, Alex Weingarten of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, said: "You should not read anything into the fact that Ilya did not attend the party last night."

He added: "Ilya wants what's best for the company, and it's clear that what's best is bringing Sam back as CEO."

Last Friday, Altman was suddenly dismissed from the OpenAI board of directors. Sutskov was directly involved in the matter. It was he who informed Altman of the board's decision. On Sunday, OpenAI's board of directors chose another interim CEO, and Suskwo later addressed employees, offering the first of two official explanations for why Altman was fired. This led to an open revolt among employees, with almost all of them preparing to resign if Ultraman did not return.

After that, Sutskov's position suddenly reversed, and just as Altman continued to negotiate a return to OpenAI, Sutskov issued a public statement saying that he "regrets" his involvement in "the board's actions."

Now that Altman is back at the helm of the company, the board has been reduced in size, new board members are about to join, and OpenAI employees are unsure whether Sutskov will return. Despite his actions against Ultraman, he is still respected within OpenAI.

A person familiar with the pair believes it is possible that Sutskov could return and repair the relationship, but it is unlikely. "If Sam thought it was ultimately best for the company, that's what he would do," he said.

Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president and co-founder, was less magnanimous, the person said. Brockman felt "extremely betrayed" throughout the "coup." But the person noted, "If he saw it useful, he would agree."