Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan Discussed OpenAI Board Role

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan, a longtime venture capitalist, early this year talked with directors of OpenAI about joining the board that governs the artificial intelligence startup valued at more than $80 billion, according to a person who has spoken to board members.

The talks were preliminary, and it’s not clear if the board is still considering Tan, whose career has intersected with that of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Still, the conversations indicate the board has considered individuals who are part of the Silicon Valley investment establishment. In Tan’s case, he also represents the interests of software startups likely to be customers of OpenAI. The concerns of both of those constituents came into focus in late November, when the former OpenAI board temporarily ousted Altman, shocking the firm’s financial backers and spurring rivals to attempt to poach its customers.