OpenAI is facing an executive exodus
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Mira Murati Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images
San Francisco-based OpenAI is facing more turmoil as CTO Mira Murati is leaving the company after more than six years "to create the time and space to do my own exploration," she announced on X this week.
Why it matters: Mayor London Breed last year declared SF the "AI capital of the world," but there's been trouble in AI paradise since that proclamation.
State of play: When OpenAI briefly ousted CEO Sam Altman last year, the board named Murati as interim CEO.
- Following Murati's decision to step away from the company, Altman on Wednesday announced the departure of two other executives — Bob McGrew, chief research officer, and Barret Zoph, VP of research — and made several new appointments.
What they're saying: "Mira, Bob, and Barret made these decisions independently of each other and amicably," Altman's post said.
- Altman thanked Murati saying, "We'll say more about the transition plans soon, but for now, I want to take a moment to just feel thanks."
- OpenAI and a representative for Murati declined to comment beyond their public posts.
What we're watching: Earlier this week, OpenAI finalized plans to open a 315,000-square-foot workspace in Mission Bay, marking the largest office lease of the year in the city, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
- In a tweet earlier this week, Breed thanked OpenAI and Altman "for expanding and continuing to call S.F. home."
- Parisa Safarzadeh, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, echoed that sentiment, telling Axios via email that OpenAI's latest lease signals "the seriousness of [its] commitment to our city and the AI industry."
- "The rate at which AI is booming in this city continues to accelerate," she said. "We are forging ahead to strengthen San Francisco's position as the center of this technology that is changing the world."