Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OpenAI, is about to start her own AI company, reports suggest. Following her resignation from OpenAI in late September, she is actively seeking to raise over $100 million in venture capital for her startup, which aims to develop AI products based on proprietary models. This move comes as Murati looks to leverage her extensive experience and reputation in the AI field.
Murati’s departure from OpenAI was unexpected, especially given her important contributions during her six-year tenure. She played a pivotal role in the development of groundbreaking projects like ChatGPT and DALL-E, which have transformed the landscape of AI technology. Her leadership was also crucial in establishing OpenAI’s multi-billion-dollar partnership with Microsoft, a key financial supporter of the company.
While the fundraising efforts are still in their early stages, sources indicate that Murati’s established reputation could attract substantial interest from venture capitalists. However, it remains uncertain whether she will take on the role of CEO in her new venture. The final figures for the capital raise have yet to be confirmed, but the potential to exceed $100 million reflects the high demand for advanced AI systems and the trust in Murati’s abilities.
Murati’s career trajectory has been notable. She joined OpenAI in June 2018 as Vice President of Applied AI and Partnerships and was promoted to CTO in May 2022. Throughout her time at OpenAI, she frequently represented the organization alongside CEO Sam Altman, showcasing her as a prominent public figure in the AI community. Her leadership was instrumental in the launch of GPT-4o, which introduced advanced voice conversation capabilities.
The timing of Murati’s resignation coincides with significant leadership changes at OpenAI. These included the removal of the non-profit board’s control, which led to a wave of high-profile departures from the company. Murati’s exit followed that of other key executives, including the chief research officer and research vice president. Her stated reason for leaving was a desire for personal exploration and not related to these events, however.
Murati’s new venture might not be the only one emerging from the recent changes at OpenAI. Barret Zoph, another notable AI researcher who left the company on the same day as Murati had indicated plans to start his own company, but might in fact be joining her effort. He has not yet confirmed his involvement in the project. Reports also indicate that Murati has been recruiting former OpenAI employees to join her team.
Murati’s effort seems to be part of a larger trend among former OpenAI executives to launch their own startups after leaving the company. Both Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence were formed by ex-OpenAI leaders.
Murati’s new project could potentially indicate the emergence of a new major AI player on the horizon. Her experience and leadership skills would surely set the expectations regarding the future of such an endeavor high.
