Durk Kingma, OpenAI Co-Founder, Joins Anthropic Amid Ongoing AI Talent Race

Durk Kingma, one of the lesser-known co-founders of OpenAI, has announced his move to Anthropic, a prominent artificial intelligence (AI) research lab. Kingma shared the news via posts on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that he would be working primarily from his base in the Netherlands, though he did not specify which department or project he would be joining at Anthropic.
Kingma's move to Anthropic marks a significant shift in his career, which has been deeply embedded in the AI research landscape. Kingma is highly regarded for his foundational contributions to generative AI models, and his new role at Anthropic represents a notable gain for the company. "Anthropic’s approach to AI development resonates significantly with my own beliefs," Kingma wrote in his announcement, expressing his enthusiasm for contributing to the company’s mission of developing responsible and ethical AI systems.

A Key Player in OpenAI’s Founding Team
Durk Kingma holds a Ph.D. in machine learning from the University of Amsterdam and first made his mark during a stint at Google as a doctoral fellow. He later became a research scientist at OpenAI, joining its founding team in 2015. During his time at OpenAI, Kingma led the algorithms team, focusing on the core research that led to the development of some of the most advanced AI models, including the DALL-E image generators and ChatGPT, OpenAI's flagship large language model. These projects have since become some of the most widely recognized in the AI landscape, cementing Kingma's reputation as a key figure in generative AI.
In 2018, Kingma left OpenAI to pursue other opportunities, including part-time angel investing and advising AI startups. Shortly after, he rejoined Google, working at Google Brain, which was known as one of the leading AI research labs at the time. Google Brain’s merger with DeepMind in 2023 marked the end of Kingma’s tenure at the lab, paving the way for his next chapter at Anthropic.

Anthropic: The New Frontier for AI Talent
Kingma’s arrival at Anthropic is part of a broader trend of talent migration between top AI research organizations. Anthropic, led by Dario Amodei, a former vice president of research at OpenAI, has been rapidly growing its team by attracting high-caliber talent from competitors, including OpenAI. In recent months, the company has secured high-profile hires, including Jan Leike, OpenAI’s former head of safety, and John Schulman, another OpenAI co-founder. Additionally, Mike Krieger, co-founder of Instagram and Artifact, was appointed Anthropic’s first head of product in May.
Anthropic was founded in 2021 after Amodei’s split from OpenAI over a strategic disagreement, particularly OpenAI’s growing focus on commercialization. While OpenAI has positioned itself as a commercial leader with products like ChatGPT and partnerships with Microsoft, Anthropic has cultivated a reputation for prioritizing AI safety and ethical development. Its mission is to build robust AI systems while mitigating risks and addressing concerns about AI alignment and safety—values that appear to align with Kingma’s own beliefs, as reflected in his announcement.

The Stakes of the AI Talent War
As AI continues to shape the future of technology, the race for top talent among leading research labs is intensifying. Anthropic’s ability to attract talent like Kingma demonstrates the competitive nature of the AI industry and the growing importance of not just developing cutting-edge technologies but doing so responsibly. Anthropic's focus on AI safety, coupled with its ambitious plans for advancing AI capabilities, has made it an attractive destination for AI researchers and thought leaders seeking to make a lasting impact.
For Kingma, joining Anthropic is not just a return to AI research but a chance to work alongside familiar faces from OpenAI and Google. "Can’t wait to work with their talented team, including a number of great ex-colleagues from OpenAI and Google, and tackle the challenges ahead!" he said in his post.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI with Kingma at Anthropic's Helm
Durk Kingma’s decision to join Anthropic is a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of the AI research landscape. As a key figure behind some of the most influential AI models at OpenAI, his expertise and vision will undoubtedly contribute to Anthropic’s mission of advancing AI responsibly. With Anthropic positioning itself as a leader in AI safety, Kingma's move is a powerful statement about the future direction of AI research and development.
The stakes in AI development are higher than ever, and Anthropic’s latest talent acquisition reaffirms its commitment to creating ethical, cutting-edge AI technologies. As AI continues to play an increasingly vital role in society, companies like Anthropic, backed by minds like Kingma, are poised to lead the charge in ensuring that this technology is developed safely and responsibly.