Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches Stealth Startup

Ex-OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati is establishing a new stealth startup after departing the AI research giant in 2024. The venture has already attracted talent from OpenAI and other AI startups.

Murati joins a growing number of former OpenAI executives who have left to launch their own companies. Since her departure in the fall of 2024, she has quickly initiated efforts to secure funding and recruit a team of researchers and engineers for her undisclosed startup.

Murati's startup has been informally referred to as Thinking Machine Labs, as reported by The Information. During her tenure at OpenAI, Murati played a pivotal role in the development of ChatGPT and other AI initiatives. She also briefly served as interim CEO in 2023 following the abrupt dismissal of former CEO Sam Altman.

Murati's departure is part of a wave of departures from OpenAI, including former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever (Safe Superintelligence Inc.), and founders Dario and Daniela Amodei (Anthropic). These developments have contributed to uncertainty surrounding OpenAI's future, particularly in light of plans to transition to a for-profit model.

Key Employees Joining Murati's Startup

John Schulman:
* Formerly OpenAI co-founder and post-training team lead
* Joined Anthropic in August 2024 and later departed to join Murati's venture

Jonathan Lachman:
* Former head of special projects at OpenAI
* Left in November 2024 and joined Murati's startup

Barret Zoph:
* Former post-training team lead at OpenAI
* Left in the fall of 2024 and joined Murati's team

Luke Metz:
* Worked on ChatGPT at OpenAI
* Departed in October 2024 and has since joined Murati's startup

Mianna Chen:
* Former research program manager at OpenAI
* Plans to join Murati's startup

Christian Gibson:
* Worked on OpenAI's supercomputing team
* Recruited by Murati in February

Mario Saltarelli:
* Former IT manager at OpenAI
* Poached by Murati

Murati's new venture will be closely watched as it develops and competes in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.