Mira Murati, the former chief technology officer at OpenAI, is in the process of raising capital from venture capitalists for her new artificial intelligence startup, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The emerging company plans to develop AI products utilizing proprietary models, though it remains unclear whether Murati will take on the role of CEO. A representative for Murati declined to comment on the matter.
While the funding discussions are still in their infancy, sources indicate that Murati’s strong reputation in the industry could enable her to raise over $100 million, essential for the training of proprietary models, though these figures are yet to be finalized.
Barret Zoph, a notable researcher who departed OpenAI alongside Murati in late September, may also join her new venture. Zoph has not responded to requests for comment. The Information previously reported on Zoph’s plans to establish a startup and noted that Murati has been actively recruiting former OpenAI employees to join her efforts.
During her over six-year tenure at OpenAI, Murati played a pivotal role in significant projects, including the development of ChatGPT and DALL-E. She was instrumental in securing OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft, its largest financial backer.
Murati’s rapid ascent at OpenAI has solidified her status as a leading executive in the burgeoning AI sector. She joined the organization in June 2018 and was promoted to CTO in May 2022. Before her time at OpenAI, Murati worked at augmented reality startup Leap Motion and at Tesla.
Known for her public appearances alongside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Murati led presentations on major releases, including the recent GPT-4o model, which is capable of conducting realistic voice conversations.
Her unexpected resignation in late September adds to a series of high-profile exits from OpenAI, which is currently undergoing significant governance changes, including the removal of its non-profit board’s control. Murati cited a desire for personal exploration as the reason for her departure.
With her exit, Murati joins a wave of former OpenAI executives launching their own startups, including competitors like Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence.
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