In a surprising move, Mira Murati, chief technology officer of OpenAI, announced her departure after six and a half years with the company. Murati, a key figure in the development of ChatGPT, shared the news on Twitter/X, explaining her decision to step away was driven by a desire for “time and space to do [her] own exploration.”
Key Details:
- Murati’s Announcement: Murati was OpenAI’s public face, responsible for explaining its technological capabilities. Her sudden departure leaves a significant gap in the company’s leadership.
- Sam Altman’s Response: CEO Sam Altman expressed his gratitude for her contributions, noting her support during tough times and looking forward to her future ventures.
- Leadership Shifts: Murati took over leadership of OpenAI in November 2023 when the board briefly ousted Altman. This departure, alongside other executive exits, follows a trend of leadership changes, including the exit of chief scientist Ilya Sutskever and safety lead Jan Leike.
- OpenAI’s Growth: Murati’s exit comes as OpenAI seeks more investments to raise its valuation above $100 billion. Companies like Microsoft, Thrive Capital, Nvidia, and Apple have already shown interest in the funding round.
OpenAI continues to face rapid change as it pursues innovation in AI while managing key leadership transitions.
