What Happened to Greg Brockman and OpenAI's Near Collapse?
In November 2023, OpenAI faced a dramatic leadership crisis when CEO Sam Altman was abruptly fired by the board, leading to co-founder Greg Brockman's resignation and a threatened mass exodus of employees. The crisis was resolved within days with Altman and Brockman reinstated, a new board formed, and significant governance changes implemented, though key figures like Ilya Sutskever and Mira Murati later departed. As of May 2026, OpenAI has undergone a corporate restructuring to a Public Benefit Corporation and continues to evolve its leadership and product strategy under Brockman's expanded role, despite facing financial scrutiny and intense market competition.
Quick Answer
In November 2023, OpenAI experienced a near-collapse when its board fired CEO Sam Altman, prompting co-founder Greg Brockman to resign and nearly all employees to threaten leaving. This intense five-day period culminated in Altman and Brockman's reinstatement, a complete overhaul of the board, and a strengthening of Microsoft's influence. As of May 2026, Greg Brockman has formally taken charge of OpenAI's product strategy, aiming to unify its offerings into an 'agentic super app,' while the company operates under a new Public Benefit Corporation structure and continues to navigate rapid growth, internal shifts, and market challenges.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Sam Altman Fired, Greg Brockman Resigns
OpenAI's board of directors abruptly fired CEO Sam Altman, citing a lack of candid communication. Co-founder and President Greg Brockman was removed from the board and resigned in protest. Mira Murati was appointed interim CEO.
Employee Revolt and Ilya Sutskever's Regret
Nearly all OpenAI employees (approximately 745 out of 770) signed a letter threatening to resign if the board did not reinstate Altman and step down. Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, who participated in the ouster, publicly expressed regret.
Microsoft Offers to Hire Altman and Brockman
Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, announced plans to hire Sam Altman and Greg Brockman to lead a new advanced AI research team, along with any OpenAI employees who wished to join them.
Altman and Brockman Reinstated, New Board Formed
OpenAI announced an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return as CEO, with Greg Brockman also returning as President. A new initial board was formed, chaired by Bret Taylor, with Larry Summers and Adam D'Angelo.
Board Expanded and Investigation Concludes
OpenAI announced an expanded board of directors, including Sam Altman, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, Nicole Seligman, and Fidji Simo. An independent review by WilmerHale concluded that Altman's termination was within the prior board's discretion but his conduct did not necessitate removal.
Ilya Sutskever Departs OpenAI
OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, a key figure in the November 2023 drama, announced his departure from the company to pursue a new project.
Ilya Sutskever Co-founds Safe Superintelligence Inc.
Ilya Sutskever, along with Daniel Gross and Daniel Levy, co-founded Safe Superintelligence Inc., a new company focused on building safe superintelligence without releasing intermediate products.
Mira Murati Steps Down as CTO
Mira Murati, who served as interim CEO during the crisis and then returned to CTO, announced she was stepping down from her role at OpenAI to pursue her own ventures.
Mira Murati Launches Thinking Machines Lab
Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati officially launched her new AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, a public benefit corporation focused on making AI systems more widely understood and customizable, emphasizing human-in-the-loop AI.
OpenAI Adopts Public Benefit Corporation Structure
OpenAI officially transitioned its for-profit subsidiary into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) called OpenAI Group PBC, with the nonprofit renamed the OpenAI Foundation, which retains control. This restructuring aimed to better align its mission with commercial goals and facilitate investment.
OpenAI Mission Statement Change
OpenAI quietly changed its mission statement, removing the word 'safely' from its previous commitment to 'build general-purpose artificial intelligence that safely benefits humanity,' signaling a shift in focus.
Bylaws Changed to Protect CEO
Court documents revealed that OpenAI changed its bylaws during the October 2025 for-profit transition, requiring a two-thirds supermajority of non-employee directors to fire the CEO, making it harder to remove Sam Altman.
Greg Brockman Takes Charge of Product Strategy
OpenAI co-founder and President Greg Brockman formally took charge of the company's entire product strategy, consolidating efforts to build a unified 'agentic super app' and drive enterprise adoption.
Financial Scrutiny and Stalled Growth Reported
Reports indicated OpenAI had a negative 122% non-GAAP operating margin in Q1 2026 and that ChatGPT user growth had stalled, despite the company being 'on track' for $30 billion in revenue for the year.
OpenAI Offers High Salary for AI Safety Role
OpenAI is reportedly offering up to $445,000 for an AI safety researcher role within its Preparedness team, focusing on identifying and reducing potential threats from advanced AI systems, highlighting ongoing commitment to safety.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The dramatic events at OpenAI in November 2023 began on Friday, November 17, when the company's board of directors abruptly fired CEO and co-founder Sam Altman, citing a lack of 'candor in his communications.' Co-founder and President Greg Brockman, who was also removed from the board, resigned in protest shortly after. This unexpected move plunged the leading AI company into chaos, shocking the tech industry and its investors. The board initially appointed CTO Mira Murati as interim CEO.
The crisis escalated rapidly over the weekend as nearly all of OpenAI's 770 employees signed a letter threatening to resign and join Altman at Microsoft if the board did not step down and reinstate Altman. Key figures, including chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, who had participated in Altman's ouster, publicly expressed regret and joined the call for his return. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, quickly offered to hire Altman and Brockman, along with any OpenAI employees who wished to follow, further pressuring the embattled board.
By Tuesday, November 21, an agreement in principle was reached for Sam Altman to return as CEO, with Greg Brockman also returning as President. A new initial board was established, chaired by Bret Taylor (former Salesforce co-CEO), and included former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and existing board member Adam D'Angelo. Altman and Brockman did not initially regain their board seats. An independent investigation in March 2024 concluded that Altman's conduct 'did not mandate removal,' effectively validating his position and leading to an expanded board that included Altman, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, Nicole Seligman, and Fidji Simo.
Following the crisis, several key figures departed. Ilya Sutskever left OpenAI in May 2024 and co-founded Safe Superintelligence Inc. in June 2024, a startup focused on developing controllable superintelligence without releasing intermediate products. Mira Murati, after returning to her CTO role, stepped down in September 2024 to launch her own AI startup, Thinking Machines Lab, in February 2025, focusing on human-in-the-loop AI. OpenAI also underwent a significant corporate restructuring, transitioning its for-profit LLC into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) called OpenAI Group PBC on October 28, 2025, with the nonprofit renamed the OpenAI Foundation. This new structure aimed to facilitate capital raising and talent retention while maintaining nonprofit oversight. Notably, court documents in May 2026 revealed that bylaws adopted in October 2025 require a two-thirds supermajority of non-employee directors to fire the CEO, making it harder to remove Sam Altman.
As of May 2026, Greg Brockman has formally taken charge of OpenAI's overall product strategy, consolidating efforts around a unified 'agentic' platform encompassing ChatGPT, Codex, and APIs. This move comes amidst a broader leadership reshuffle and a push for enterprise growth, with OpenAI reporting a negative 122% non-GAAP operating margin in Q1 2026 and stalled ChatGPT user growth, despite aiming for $30 billion in revenue for the year. The company continues to invest heavily in AI safety, offering high salaries for research roles focused on future risks.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Greg Brockman and OpenAI's Near Collapse made different choices?