It has been announced that 3 senior execs at OpenAI, including the Chief Technology Officer of the startup, have made the decision to leave. This happens at a very important period for OpenAI as it works towards securing a $6.5 billion funding round.
Mira Murati, Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and VP of Research Barret Zoph announced their resignations via social media. These changes come as OpenAI restructures its organisation, moving to a for-profit benefit corporation model. This transition is part of its plans for growth, but the departure of key figures has left some wondering how it might affect the company’s goals.
The ongoing restructuring process is tied to OpenAI’s plan to finalise the current funding round, which values OpenAI at $150 billion. While this funding would mark a new chapter for the company, the departure of such high-level executives in the middle of negotiations has raised some concerns about continuity and leadership.
What Has Mira Murati Said About Her Decision?
Mira Murati played a very important role in OpenAI’s growth through the years. She first joined the company as VP of Applied AI and Partnerships, later stepping into the role of CTO. During her time there, she led the development of major projects, including advances in speech-to-speech technology and AI systems that learn and adapt based on real-world use. Murati also temporarily served as CEO during the period when Sam Altman was briefly ousted from the company.
In her farewell message to OpenAI staff, Murati expressed gratitude for her time at the company. She acknowledged the progress the team had made together and spoke on how they had advanced AI safety research and practical applications. For her, the decision to leave was a personal one, allowing her space to pursue new interests and experiences.
Her decision comes after 6 and a half years at the company, during which she became one of the key faces of OpenAI’s public and technical efforts. Her leadership and involvement in driving some of its most important achievements make her departure especially felt.
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Her message, posted on X, read:
“Our recent releases of speech-to-speech and OpenAI 01 mark the beginning of a new era in interaction and intelligence—achievements made possible by your ingenuity and craftsmanship. We didn’t merely build smarter models, we fundamentally changed how AI systems learn and reason through complex problems. We brought safety research from the theoretical realm into practical applications, creating models that are more robust, aligned, and steerable than ever before.”
How Have Other Executives Reacted?
Bob McGrew and Barret Zoph also shared their thoughts on stepping down. McGrew had led research efforts at OpenAI, while Zoph contributed to scaling ChatGPT and its current success. Both executives expressed appreciation for their time at the company but noted that they felt it was the right moment for them to seek new paths.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, spoke about the departures, recognising the valuable contributions of these leaders. He acknowledged their role in shaping the company’s work and expressed his gratitude. Altman also assured the team that new leadership was already in place to continue their efforts without major disruptions. Mark will now take over as Senior Vice President of Research, and Josh Achiam will focus on overseeing mission alignment across the company.
Can OpenAI Keep Its Place As An Industry Leader?
OpenAI’s ability to retain its status as a leader in artificial intelligence is now under the spotlight. With the departure of three prominent leaders, the question remains whether the company can continue its trajectory without them. OpenAI has been a innovator in AI, making big contributions to the field, but this change could contest its stability.
The introduction of new leadership might bring fresh perspectives, but the loss of long-standing executives like Murati and McGrew may leave gaps in experience and continuity. Maintaining the high level of innovation and public trust that OpenAI has built will be vital to its future success. The company’s shift to a new organisational structure will play a large role in this.
