Reid Hoffman to Leave Microsoft Board of Directors After Ten Years

Reid Hoffman 將在任職十年後離開微軟董事會

Jun 5, 2026, 22:35
USTechnology

Introduction

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, has announced that he will not seek reelection to Microsoft's board of directors when his current term ends.

LinkedIn 共同創辦人 Reid Hoffman 宣布，在他的現任任期結束後，將不會競選連任微軟董事會成員。

Main Body

Mr. Hoffman joined the board in 2017, shortly after Microsoft bought LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in 2016. Microsoft has emphasized that his departure is not caused by any disagreements regarding company policy or operations.

Hoffman 先生於 2017 年加入董事會，當時正值微軟於 2016 年以 262 億美元收購 LinkedIn 之後不久。微軟強調，他的離職並非由任何關於公司政策或營運的分歧所引起。

Throughout his time on the board, Mr. Hoffman was closely involved in Microsoft's AI strategies. He was a member when Microsoft first invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019, although he left the OpenAI board in 2023 to avoid conflicts of interest. Furthermore, his company, Inflection AI, reached a $650 million agreement with Microsoft, which led to co-founder Mustafa Suleyman becoming the CEO of Microsoft AI.

在他擔任董事會成員期間，Hoffman 先生密切參與了微軟的 AI 策略。2019 年微軟首次向 OpenAI 投資 10 億美元時，他是其中一名成員，儘管他於 2023 年離開了 OpenAI 董事會以避免利益衝突。此外，他的公司 Inflection AI 與微軟達成了一項 6.5 億美元的協議，這使得共同創辦人 Mustafa Suleyman 成為微軟 AI 的執行長。

Currently, Mr. Hoffman is focusing on his role as chairman of Manus, an AI company that develops new drugs for cancer treatment. This shift occurs while he faces public scrutiny. The U.S. Department of Justice released documents about his past connection to Jeffrey Epstein, for which he apologized. Additionally, Mr. Hoffman asserted that a federal investigation into his legal donations is a retaliatory action because he supported the litigation against Donald Trump.

目前，Hoffman 先生專注於他在 Manus 擔任董事長的角色，Manus 是一家研發癌症治療新藥的 AI 公司。這次轉變發生在他面臨公眾審視之際。美國司法部公布了關於他過去與 Jeffrey Epstein 聯繫的文件，他對此已表示道歉。此外，Hoffman 先生主張，聯邦政府對其法律捐款的調查是一項報復行動，因為他支持針對川普的訴訟。

Conclusion

Mr. Hoffman will continue as a director until the annual shareholder meeting, after which he will focus entirely on leading Manus.

Hoffman 先生將繼續擔任董事直到年度股東會，之後他將全力專注於領導 Manus。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The 'Precision Shift': Moving from Basic to Professional English

At the A2 level, we usually say things like "He left the company" or "He is doing a new job." To reach B2, you need to use Specific Action Verbs that describe professional movements and legal situations.

🔍 Analysis of High-Value Verbs

Look at how this text describes changes. Instead of using generic words, it uses these "Bridge Words":

  • Seek reelection →\rightarrow (A2 version: Try to stay in the job)
    • B2 usage: Used specifically for official positions or boards.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest →\rightarrow (A2 version: Stop a problem with money/jobs)
    • B2 usage: A key professional phrase for when two roles clash.
  • Asserted →\rightarrow (A2 version: Said strongly)
    • B2 usage: Used when someone claims something is true, especially in an argument or legal case.

🛠️ The "Connector" Upgrade

Notice the words used to add information. A2 students rely on "and" or "also." B2 speakers use Logical Transitions:

Furthermore →\rightarrow used to add a second, stronger point to a professional argument.

Additionally →\rightarrow used to introduce a new piece of evidence or a new fact.

💡 Practical Application

To move from A2 to B2, stop saying "He said". Depending on the context, try:

  1. He announced... (Public/Official)
  2. He emphasized... (Giving importance to a point)
  3. He asserted... (Defending a position)

Vocabulary Learning

emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The manager emphasized the need for all employees to arrive on time.
departure (n.)
The act of leaving a place, a job, or a position.
Example:The company's sudden departure from the market surprised many investors.
conflicts of interest (n. phr.)
A situation in which a person has competing professional or personal interests that make it difficult to remain impartial.
Example:The judge stepped down from the case to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
scrutiny (n.)
Critical observation or examination of something in great detail.
Example:The government's new tax policy has come under intense public scrutiny.
asserted (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.
retaliatory (adj.)
Done in revenge or as a counter-attack.
Example:The company took retaliatory measures after the employee leaked secret documents.
litigation (n.)
The process of taking legal action or a lawsuit in a court of law.
Example:The two tech giants are currently engaged in complex patent litigation.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→