Talks at OpenAI to bring back Sam Altman, the recently ousted chief executive, continued on Sunday afternoon. However, there were disagreements over the makeup of the company's board of directors, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Altman spent the weekend pressuring the four-person board of directors who had removed him on Friday. This pressure campaign resulted in a groundswell of support from investors, employees, and OpenAI executives. Altman was present at the OpenAI headquarters on Sunday afternoon, posting a photo of himself on X, formerly Twitter, wearing a guest identification badge and expressing that it was his first and last time wearing one.

The negotiations regarding Altman's potential return as chief executive also included discussions about how the company's board of directors might be reshaped. However, there is still no agreement on the structure of the board, and Altman's reinstatement is not guaranteed. The company has been at the center of a whirlwind of activity since Altman's removal. OpenAI, known for its popular ChatGPT chatbot, has become one of the most closely watched companies in the tech industry.

On Sunday afternoon, former OpenAI board member Will Hurd was seen outside the company's headquarters in San Francisco's Mission district. Hurd had been called upon by the company to help navigate the leadership upheaval. He expressed the importance of trust, transparency, and good governance in the industry and the company's future.

OpenAI declined to comment on the ongoing discussions. The company's board of directors is unique due to its transformation from a nonprofit to a for-profit company and its relationship with Microsoft as its biggest investor. Previously, Altman was one of six board members, along with Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, Adam D'Angelo, Helen Toner, and Tasha McCauley. Since Altman's dismissal, people close to the company have been trying to understand the reasons behind it, with the company's chief operating officer stating that there was no “malfeasance” involved.

The power struggles and tensions at OpenAI have highlighted a division within the AI community. Some believe AI presents a significant business opportunity, while others worry about the potential dangers of advancing the technology too quickly. OpenAI had been in discussions to raise a new funding round, valuing the company at over $80 billion.

Altman's potential reinstatement would be a significant reversal for OpenAI, which had accused him of lacking consistency and candor in his communications with the board. While negotiations continue, executives at OpenAI have called in additional resources, as evidenced by a delivery of drinks from a local chain.

In addition to Altman, Greg Brockman, another top executive who left OpenAI after the board meeting on Friday, is also in talks with board members about returning to the company. The pressure to bring Altman back has come from OpenAI's investors and supporters, including Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion in the company. Investors have also expressed a willingness to invest if Altman were to start a new company. However, there is no guarantee that Brockman will be reinstated.

The structure of OpenAI, with a nonprofit controlling the activities of its for-profit subsidiary, gives the board significant control over the company's operations. Microsoft, OpenAI, and Thrive Capital declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.

The discussions between Brockman and the board are the latest twist in the fast-moving drama at OpenAI, a company that gained significant attention with the release of its chatbot ChatGPT. Altman, one of the founders of OpenAI, quickly became a prominent figure in the AI industry. However, his sudden removal from the company without further explanation caused shockwaves in the tech industry. Altman's departure led to speculation about his next venture, with rumors of him and Brockman setting up a new AI company.

While leading OpenAI, Altman had been pitching ideas for new projects, including developing custom chips for AI to compete with Nvidia and partnering with SoftBank and former Apple executive Jony Ive to build an AI device. Altman's vision and influence in the industry attracted support from tech investors, who eagerly await his next venture.

As the discussions continue, the future leadership and direction of OpenAI remain uncertain. Karen Weise and Tripp Mickle contributed to the reporting of this news item.