Mira Murati, who previously held the position of Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, is reportedly in talks with venture capitalists to fund a new artificial intelligence startup focusing on proprietary AI models, according to individuals familiar with the situation.
Murati’s exit came alongside the departures of Bob McGrew, Chief Research Officer, and Barret Zoph, Vice President of Research, who left OpenAI on the same day. The high-level resignations have prompted speculation about possible internal challenges within the rapidly expanding organization.
In 2024, a significant number of executives and employees have departed from OpenAI. Co-founder John Schulman transitioned to Anthropic, a competing AI firm known for developing the Claude AI model, in September. His move followed the exits of fellow co-founder Greg Brockman and product lead Peter Deng.
The reorganization within the company occurred after the dissolution of OpenAI’s superalignment team, which was led by Jan Leike and Ilya Sutskever. The team had been dedicated to addressing the challenges of managing superintelligent AI systems over a projected period of four years.
Murati´s New Venture
Details about Murati’s new startup are scarce, but sources indicate the company aims to develop AI products based on its own models. Early talks suggest the venture could raise over $100 million, reflecting both the significant capital needed for advanced AI systems and Murati’s strong reputation. Barret Zoph may also join this new endeavor.
Though Murati mentioned a desire for personal exploration as her reason for leaving, some insiders believe internal dynamics may have influenced her decision. After CEO Sam Altman’s brief removal in a boardroom coup in November 2023, known internally as “the Blip,” questions about her loyalty arose.
During her six-year tenure, Murati led major projects such as ChatGPT and DALL-E, becoming a key figure in the AI sector. She played a crucial role in establishing OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft, the company’s largest investor.
Insiders suggest that OpenAI has faced internal friction due to the swift rollout of AI models like GPT-4o and the more recent o1 model. Some staff felt these models were introduced before being fully polished, raising concerns about their safety and effectiveness.
The push to release new models quickly has created tension between teams dedicated to ensuring product safety and those eager to commercialize. Safety teams sometimes felt pressured to sign off on models without ample testing, while commercial teams focused on staying ahead in the market.
Since late 2023, OpenAI has expanded from fewer than 800 employees to nearly 1,800. This rapid growth has brought in many from commercial backgrounds, shifting the company’s focus from research and safety to product development and commercialization. Some former employees worry that this change may overshadow the commitment to AI safety.
OpenAI Facing Challenges
With the departure of Murati and several other key leaders, OpenAI is facing the task of maintaining its innovative drive while addressing internal concerns. CEO Sam Altman has said he will temporarily oversee technical staff, indicating a more direct approach. The company is also undergoing significant changes, including restructuring its governance to remove the nonprofit’s control over its for-profit arm, raising questions about its dedication to its original mission.
Murati’s decision coincides with OpenAI’s ongoing negotiations to finalize a significant funding initiative, which is expected to increase the company’s valuation to over $150 billion. Thrive Capital is at the forefront of this funding effort with a major investment of $1 billion, and discussions are continuing with other notable investors, such as tech giants Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple.
OpenAI is undergoing structural changes, transitioning from its non-profit versus for-profit concepts. In pursuit of this funding, OpenAI may restructure its hybrid nonprofit model, which was designed to limit investor profits while aligning with its mission to develop AI for societal benefit.
As former OpenAI leaders launch new ventures, the competitive landscape in the AI industry is likely to shift, potentially affecting the focus on AI safety and ethics across the sector.
Growing Tensions in the OpenAI-Microsoft Partnership
The evolving relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft could further complicate OpenAI’s future trajectory. As OpenAI navigates leadership changes and ongoing internal restructuring, tensions with Microsoft, one of its key investors, are rising. Financial strains, resource disputes, and strategic disagreements have begun to overshadow the once-promising partnership. Despite Microsoft’s $13 billion investment, OpenAI continues to seek additional funding and computing power to support its expansive AI projects, straining the relationship with the tech giant. Microsoft, cautious about overcommitting resources, has reportedly begun exploring alternative AI ventures to reduce its reliance on OpenAI.
At the heart of these tensions is a hidden clause in the partnership contract regarding the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). This clause could allow OpenAI to sever ties with Microsoft if AGI is achieved, giving OpenAI significant leverage. As OpenAI continues to court new investors and partners, including Nvidia and Apple, the future of its collaboration with Microsoft remains uncertain. How these dynamics play out could have wide-ranging implications for the competitive landscape of AI, especially as other tech giants race to secure their positions in the rapidly evolving sector.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:27 pm CET
