In a move signaling the escalating competition in artificial intelligence, Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer and interim CEO of OpenAI, has launched an AI research lab focused on artificial general intelligence (AGI). Murati, who departed OpenAI in September 2024, has already recruited a team of approximately 10 researchers and engineers from industry giants such as OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Among Murati’s recent hires is Jonathan Lachman, OpenAI’s previous head of special projects. This marks her most prominent recruitment to date, bolstering the credibility and potential of the nascent venture. The startup, still unnamed and in its formative stages, has not yet outlined a concrete product direction but has already generated considerable anticipation within the tech community.
Leadership Transitions at OpenAI
Murati’s departure came less than a year after the dramatic leadership crisis at OpenAI in late 2023, during which CEO Sam Altman was temporarily ousted by the board of directors. Murati was appointed interim CEO during the tumultuous period, a role she handled with poise. Altman himself later acknowledged her leadership during the crisis, describing her contributions as “exceptional in a moment of chaos.”
Following her promotion to interim CEO, Altman was reinstated within a week after a groundswell of employee support, including a letter signed by over 730 staff members. Despite the brief power shift, Murati and Altman continued to work together amicably. In her farewell letter, Murati expressed gratitude to Altman and the OpenAI team, citing her desire to “explore new frontiers” as the reason for her departure.
Rising AI Startups and Industry Shifts
Murati is one of several high-profile AI leaders to exit OpenAI recently. Barret Zoph, OpenAI’s vice president of research, and Bob McGrew, chief research officer, also left the organization around the same time. OpenAI cofounder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever departed in May 2024 to establish Safe Superintelligence, an AI safety-focused startup. Within just three months, Sutskever’s company raised $1 billion in funding, underscoring the booming interest in AI innovation.
Murati’s new venture aims to raise over $100 million in initial funding, though the exact figure remains under discussion. The move mirrors the rise of Anthropic, another major AI player founded by former OpenAI executives, which has secured billions in investment, including an $8 billion commitment from Amazon.
The Road Ahead
Murati’s emerging lab is poised to enter an increasingly crowded field of AGI research, with industry leaders racing to define the next chapter of artificial intelligence. While details remain sparse, the combination of her leadership, her team’s expertise, and a growing pool of investment suggests her startup could be a formidable contender in shaping the future of AI.
As the AI sector evolves, the rapid pace of innovation and talent reshuffling highlights the high stakes and immense potential of this transformative technology.
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