Testimony details Mira Murati’s role in Sam Altman’s brief ouster from OpenAI
OpenAI CTO Mira Murati was instrumental in Sam Altman's November 2023 ouster, providing key information to the board despite later supporting his return.
Jason Kwon ·
Former OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati played a key role in the events that led to CEO Sam Altman’s brief removal in November 2023, according to witness testimony and trial exhibits in the Musk v. Altman lawsuit.
Murati, who was initially named interim CEO asourceser Altman was removed, raised internal concerns about Altman’s conduct and shared information with OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever that was later used in board deliberations.
That material reportedly included screenshots and text messages, as well as allegations of mismanagement during Altman’s time at Y Combinator. The information was compiled into a 52-page memo presented to the OpenAI board.
Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner testified that the concerns raised by Murati and Sutskever aligned with the board’s own observations about Altman. Those concerns included allegations that Altman was not consistently candid with the board, resisted oversight, and attempted to influence board processes.
On Nov. 16, 2023, four OpenAI board members—Toner, Sutskever, Adam D’Angelo, and Tasha McCauley—signed a document terminating Altman’s employment.
Murati later publicly supported Altman’s reinstatement, including posting online in favor of his return. Altman returned to the company within days.