Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches Human-Centered AI Startup, Drawing Talent from ChatGPT Creator

Mira Murati Launches Thinking Machines Lab to Revolutionize AI

Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, has launched a new venture called Thinking Machines Lab.

The AI startup has already attracted a team of around 30 highly skilled researchers and engineers from leading companies such as OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral.

The company aims to make artificial intelligence systems more adaptable, ethical, and accessible across a wide range of industries.

Talent from Competitors Strengthens the Startup’s Core Team

Murati’s new company has quickly established itself with a strong team, largely composed of former OpenAI employees.

Among the most notable additions are Barret Zoph, a prominent AI researcher, who has taken on the role of Chief Technology Officer.

Zoph departed OpenAI on the same day as Murati in late September.

The company has also attracted OpenAI co-founder John Schulman, who serves as the Chief Scientist at Thinking Machines Lab.

Schulman left OpenAI earlier in the year to focus on AI alignment, a principle that will play a crucial role in the startup's development.

In a statement to Reuters, sources confirmed that more former OpenAI employees are expected to join the company in the coming months.

Thinking Machines Lab is currently in talks to secure venture capital funding, according to those close to the matter.

AI Alignment Takes Center Stage in New Startup’s Mission

One of the key focuses of Thinking Machines Lab is AI alignment—the process of embedding human values and ethical principles into AI systems.

This concept of alignment is gaining increasing importance in the AI community, as developers seek to ensure that AI systems act in ways that are beneficial and safe for humans.

The startup’s mission, as outlined in their blog post, is to encode human values into AI systems and enable broader, more practical applications than current models offer.

Murati has expressed her goal of bridging the gap between the research and product sides of AI development.

In an announcement, the company said,

"While current systems excel at programming and mathematics, we’re building AI that can adapt to the full spectrum of human expertise and enable a broader spectrum of applications."

Open Science as a Core Pillar of the Startup’s Approach

Thinking Machines Lab has stated that it will also focus on fostering an open science approach.

The company plans to share research publications, code, datasets, and model specifications with the broader AI community to help advance the field.

This commitment to transparency sets Thinking Machines Lab apart from other competitors in the space.

Murati emphasised that the company would contribute to the understanding of AI systems through a culture of collaboration and open knowledge.

Murati said in a post on X,

We're building three things:
- Helping people adapt AI systems to work for their specific needs
- Developing strong foundations to build more capable AI systems
- Fostering a culture of open science that helps the whole field understand and improve these systems

A Track Record of AI Leadership and Vision

Before her departure from OpenAI in September 2024, Murati had been instrumental in the development of ChatGPT, the AI chatbot that gained global recognition.

Her career trajectory is marked by leadership positions at notable tech firms, including Tesla and augmented reality startup Leap Motion.

At Thinking Machines Lab, she has taken on the role of CEO, demonstrating her continued leadership in the AI industry.

Thinking Machines Lab aims to offer a more human-centered approach to artificial intelligence, providing tools that are not just powerful but also usable and beneficial across various sectors.

As AI continues to evolve rapidly, Murati’s latest venture promises to bring a fresh perspective to the field.

The company's focus on ethical AI has sparked interest, with many in the industry keeping a close eye on its development.

As Thinking Machines Lab expands its team and looks for funding, it is positioning itself to play a bigger role in the fast-changing AI industry.