AI poster child Altman is back, may have fewer checks on power

In control: Altman has been invigorated but that may come at a cost as he has too much power now. — AFP

SAM Altman’s return as OpenAI’s chief executive will strengthen his grip on the startup and may leave the ChatGPT creator with fewer checks on his power as the company introduces technology that could upend industries, corporate governance experts and analysts said.

OpenAI is bringing Altman back just days after his ouster as well as installing a revamped board that could bring sharper scrutiny to the startup at the heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but strong support from investors including Microsoft may give Altman more leeway to commercialise the technology.“Sam’s return may put an end to the turmoil on the surface, but there may continue to be deep governance issues,” said Mak Yuen Teen, director of the centre for investor protection at the National University of Singapore Business School.