Former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has begun staffing her new artificial intelligence startup, making several key hires including OpenAI’s former head of special projects Jonathan Lachman.
Key developments: Murati’s unnamed startup, focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI) – AI systems capable of performing any intellectual task that humans can do – has recruited approximately 10 researchers and engineers from major AI companies.
- The startup has attracted talent from OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind
- While actively hiring, the company remains in early stages without a name or defined product direction
- Murati is reportedly seeking over $100 million in funding for the venture
Leadership background: Murati’s departure from OpenAI followed a complex series of events involving the company’s leadership crisis in late 2023.
- She briefly served as interim CEO during Sam Altman‘s temporary removal from OpenAI
- Despite initial tensions, Murati and Altman maintained a positive working relationship after his reinstatement
- Her September 2024 departure was amicable, with Murati expressing a desire to pursue independent exploration
Industry context: The launch of Murati’s startup continues a pattern of high-profile departures from OpenAI leading to new ventures.
- OpenAI has experienced several senior executive departures, including VP of Research Barret Zoph and Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew
- Co-founder Ilya Sutskever left to establish Safe Superintelligence, securing $1 billion in funding within three months
- Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI executives, has raised significant capital including $8 billion from Amazon
Competitive landscape: The emergence of well-funded AI startups led by former OpenAI executives suggests increasing competition and diversification in advanced AI research.
- These new ventures are attracting substantial investment despite early-stage status
- The focus on AGI research indicates continued interest in pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities
- The talent migration between major AI companies highlights the dynamic nature of the industry
Future implications: While Murati’s startup is still taking shape, her track record and ability to attract top talent suggest it could become a significant player in the AGI research space, potentially introducing new approaches to artificial intelligence development that differ from established companies.
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