Case
OpenAI board crisis 2023–24
In November 2023 OpenAI's board removed its CEO; staff signed a letter threatening to leave, and the CEO returned days later (Axios, 20 and 22 Nov 2023). In March 2024 OpenAI published the outcome of an independent review and confirmed the CEO would continue to lead. Useful for decision rights and escalation in governance.
- Industry
- Artificial intelligence
Frameworks applied
This case is read through the frameworks below.
- Strategic leadership through four control mechanismsWhen an approved strategy fails to move the organisation, which lever should the CEO tighten: resource allocation, decision rights, escalation or review?
- Four practices of strategic leadershipWhen a strategy has been announced but results are not moving, what must a CEO and leadership team do to set a credible direction, own delivery and learn from each review?
Sources
References
Listed A–Z by author surname, Harvard style. A source with a DOI links to https://doi.org/…; one without links to its page or says plainly that it has no DOI.
- Associated Press (2024) Burberry appoints a new CEO as the fashion house warns it expects a first-half operating loss. AP News.No DOIapnews.comSource page
- Axios (2023) OpenAI staff letter threatens to quit unless board resigns. Axios.No DOIaxios.comSource page
- OpenAI (2024) Review completed & Altman, Brockman to continue to lead OpenAI. OpenAI.No DOIopenai.comSource page