Former OpenAI CTO "sets up his own business", Weng Lai and other...
Former OpenAI CTO Mulati has joined forces with a number of "old school" executives to start a new AI company. The company, called Thinking Machines Lab, is committed to developing AI models and products that support broader collaboration between humans and AI across various industries.
Key Team Members
Other core members of Mulati's team include John Schulman, an OpenAI Co-Founder who will serve as the Chief Scientist at Thinking Machines Lab, and Barret Zoph, OpenAI's Former Vice President of Research, who will take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at the new company.
The blog post mentions that the current team consists of nearly 30 employees, including Lai Weng, former VP of Security at OpenAI, and more than ten individuals who previously worked at OpenAI.
Company Philosophy
While Thinking Machines Lab has not yet launched specific products or models, the company aims to develop AI systems that are easier to understand, more customizable, and more versatile. Their focus lies in building multimodal systems that collaborate with humans across various mediums such as text, audio, and video.
Career Background of Mulati
Born in Albania and a graduate of Dartmouth College, Mulati joined OpenAI in 2018 and was appointed as Chief Technology Officer in 2022. During her tenure at OpenAI, she led the release of several significant products, including ChatGPT and Voice Mode.
In late 2023, OpenAI CEO Ortmann was temporarily removed by the board of directors, leading to Mulati's brief stint as interim CEO. Following Ortmann's reinstatement, Mulati and other executives left OpenAI to pursue their own AI ventures.
Industry Impact
These departures from OpenAI have resulted in the emergence of new AI companies led by former top executives, such as Safe Superintelligence founded by OpenAI co-founder and former chief scientist Sutcliffe. Safe Superintelligence aims to develop safe and powerful AI systems and is currently in the process of raising significant funding.
While Mulati's new company, Thinking Machines Lab, continues to recruit talent, particularly in machine learning and research management, Silicon Valley is buzzing with anticipation about the innovations and contributions these former OpenAI leaders will bring to the industry.
