Sam Altman Steps Down as Oklo Chairman to Clear Path for OpenAI Deal

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stepped down as chairman of nuclear startup Oklo, clearing the way for the company to pursue a potential strategic partnership with OpenAI. The move, announced Tuesday, sent Oklo shares down more than 11% in after-hours trading.

Jacob DeWitte, Oklo’s CEO and co-founder, will assume the role of chairman, the company confirmed. Altman remains a shareholder in Oklo, which he helped take public in May 2024 via his special purpose acquisition company, AltC Acquisition Corp.

A Step Toward AI-Powered by Nuclear Energy

Altman’s resignation addresses a conflict of interest that previously stood in the way of formal talks between the two companies. With that obstacle removed, Oklo is now free to explore supplying clean nuclear power to OpenAI’s rapidly growing fleet of energy-hungry data centers.

“We continue to explore strategic partnerships with leading AI companies, including potentially with OpenAI,” said Oklo co-founder Caroline Cochran in a statement.

Oklo is already providing clean energy to two major U.S. data centers and is aiming to launch its first small modular nuclear reactor by 2027. In March, the company initiated a Pre-Application Readiness Assessment with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the first phase in submitting a license application for its Aurora Powerhouse reactors.

In December, Oklo signed a non-binding agreement to provide nuclear energy to Switch, a Las Vegas-based data center operator.

The Bigger Picture: AI's Growing Energy Appetite

Oklo’s push for scalable clean energy aligns with the AI industry’s escalating demand for power. As generative AI systems expand globally, data center electricity use is surging—prompting renewed interest in nuclear power as a carbon-free, reliable energy source.

Altman’s dual roles placed him at the intersection of these trends. Now, with his formal exit from Oklo’s board, both companies are positioned to act on the synergies between AI and advanced nuclear technology.

What This Means

Altman’s resignation isn’t just a procedural move: it reflects a growing convergence between AI and energy infrastructure. As OpenAI and others race to scale generative models, the demand for clean, reliable power is pushing nuclear energy back into the spotlight.

Oklo’s modular reactor technology could offer a tailored solution for high-density computing needs, and this realignment removes a key barrier to collaboration. With Altman still a shareholder, the partnership potential remains—but now without ethical or structural roadblocks.

In a world racing to build smarter machines, the power behind the plug might soon matter as much as the code.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.