Microsoft and Apple will no longer sit on OpenAI’s board of directors

As observers, both companies had the ability to attend board meetings to obtain information about how the company is behaving and what its new decisions are; however, they could not vote or exercise other powers as directors can do.

Following the announcement, OpenAI spokesperson Steve Sharpe expressed his gratitude for Microsoft’s trust in the startup, and that under the leadership of CFO Sarah Friar, they have established a new approach to engaging strategic partners, such as Microsoft, Apple and other investors.

This approach, the company explained, consists of organizing “regular meetings with stakeholders to share the progress of our mission and ensure stronger collaboration on security.”

It is worth recalling that Microsoft was one of the partners that supported OpenAI CEO Sam Altman after his temporary dismissal last November, even offering him to be the leader of its AI division, which put pressure on him to return to his executive position, due to the multi-million dollar investment that Microsoft has made in OpenAI.