Mira Murati, the former chief technology officer at OpenAI, is in the process of securing funding from venture capitalists for her new artificial intelligence startup, as per insiders close to the discussions.
The new venture is focused on developing AI products using proprietary models, according to an anonymous source familiar with the initiative. It remains uncertain whether Murati will take on the role of CEO for the company.
A spokesperson for Murati declined to provide any comments regarding the endeavor.
While discussions are still in their preliminary phase, Murati’s startup could potentially raise over $100 million, spurred by her industry reputation and the substantial investment required for training proprietary AI models, one source noted, while emphasizing that the figures are subject to change.
Barret Zoph, a notable researcher who departed OpenAI concurrently with Murati in late September, is also likely to participate in the new business, according to the sources. Zoph has not responded to requests for comment.
The Information previously reported that Zoph is considering launching his own startup, and there are indications that Murati has been reaching out to recruit former OpenAI employees to join her new venture.
During her tenure at OpenAI, which spanned over six years, Murati led significant projects including ChatGPT and DALL-E. She played a pivotal role in establishing OpenAI’s lucrative partnership with Microsoft, its principal financial supporter.
Murati’s swift ascent within OpenAI has made her a prominent figure in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.
Having joined OpenAI in June 2018, she was promoted to CTO in May 2022, according to her LinkedIn profile. Prior to her work at OpenAI, Murati held positions at augmented reality startup Leap Motion and Tesla.
She was often seen alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as a key representative of the organization. Notably, when OpenAI unveiled its GPT-4o model, which can engage in realistic voice interactions, Murati spearheaded the presentation.
Her unexpected resignation in late September marked another significant departure from OpenAI as the company undergoes substantial changes to its governance structure, including a shift in control away from the non-profit board. Murati, who briefly served as interim CEO last year after Altman’s ousting, cited personal exploration as a reason for her departure.
Murati’s move to launch a startup adds to a growing trend of former OpenAI executives establishing their own companies, including notable competitors such as Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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