Ex-OpenAI CTO Murati’s New Team Takes Shape

A month ago, we reported that former OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati had begun to pitch current OpenAI staffers on joining her new venture. It seems like at least one OpenAI researcher has taken her up on her offer.

Mianna Chen, a research program manager at OpenAI responsible for preparing AI models for release, has recently left and plans to join Murati at her new company, according to a person familiar with the move. (It isn't clear whether the hiring is finalized.)

We’ve also got clarity on who else Murati is working with: she is teaming up with ex-head of post-training Barret Zoph and former senior researcher Luke Metz, both of whom we’ve reported have left the model developer in recent months, according to two people with direct knowledge of the new venture.

The moves are a reminder of the threats that OpenAI continues to face from big tech companies and other startups—including those launched by recently-departed former employees. A representative of Murati didn't want to say anything when we contacted them.