Former OpenAI CTO Launches New AI Startup

Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, has launched a new artificial intelligence startup, Thinking Machines Lab.

The San Francisco-based company aims to make AI systems more accessible, customisable, and capable across a broader range of applications.

In a strategic move, Murati has assembled a team of approximately 30 top researchers and engineers, with around two-thirds coming from her previous employer, OpenAI. Notable hires include Barret Zoph, who will serve as Chief Technology Officer, and OpenAI co-founder John Schulman, who has been appointed Chief Scientist.

I started Thinking Machines Lab alongside a remarkable team of scientists, engineers, and builders. We’re building three things:
– Helping people adapt AI systems to work for their specific needs
– Developing strong foundations to build more capable AI systems
– Fostering a…

— Mira Murati (@miramurati) February 18, 2025

The startup places a strong emphasis on AI alignment, focusing on embedding human values into AI models to ensure safety and reliability. To promote collaboration and transparency, Thinking Machines Lab plans to share its code, datasets, and model specifications with the wider research community.