OpenAI CTO Mira Murati And Two More Execs Leave The Startup

OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, along with Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and VP Research Barret Zoph quit the company this Wednesday.

According to Reuters, the three technical leaders shared public statements on the social media platform X, while the company goes through a restructuring process to transform into a for-profit benefit corporation and give CEO Sam Altman an equity stake.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that OpenAI is in talks for a new investment round that could raise the value of the company to over $100 billion

Murati’s departure after six years in the company as one of the main leaders and faces of OpenAI comes unexpectedly but adds to the long list of talents leaving OpenAI since its conception.

“I’m stepping away because I want to create the time and space to do my own exploration,” wrote Murati in the note she shared with OpenAI’s team where she also expressed her gratitude to the project and her team. “For now, my primary focus is doing everything in my power to ensure a smooth transition, maintaining the momentum we’ve built.”

Altman replied to her post on X and thanked her help and accomplishments. “We’ll say more about the transition plans soon, but for now, I want to take a moment to just feel thanks,” he added.

McGrew—who joined the company eight years ago—said it was time for him to “take a break,” while Barret Zoph—who joined OpenAI in 2022— said it was a personal decision and that it had to do with the next step in his career.

All of them mentioned that it was a good moment, after seeing ChatGPT evolve and reach its most recent versions.