OpenAI engineers are making as much as $800,000 and were key in Altman's return to the AI startup.

One week after he was fired, Altman was restored as CEO of the leading artificial intelligence technology company as a result of a staff revolt, combined with the intervention of Microsoft Corporation and other powerful sections of the ruling class.

People familiar with the matter said the dispute made it impossible for directors to uphold their mission, even if it didn’t involve AI safety.