Observed Signal · Jan 17, 2025 · Hiring · Source: Trending Topics · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Mira Murati's AI Startup Hires First Staff, Including Ex-OpenAI Manager
Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI and a key figure behind ChatGPT, is building a stealth AI research startup. The company has made its most prominent hire yet: Jonathan Lachman, formerly OpenAI's head of special projects, who recently left the company. According to Wired, Murati's startup is still in early stages, lacking a name and product direction. Around ten researchers and engineers have reportedly been recruited from AI companies including Character AI and Google DeepMind. Murati left OpenAI in September 2024 and later served briefly as interim CEO. In October 2024, Reuters reported she sought over $100 million for the new venture. OpenAI confirmed Lachman's departure. The startup aims to focus on artificial general intelligence (AGI).
High-profile hiring in the AI research talent market signals the formation of a major new AI lab by a former OpenAI CTO, relevant to AI industry competition but with no direct AdTech application yet.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Mira Murati hired Jonathan Lachman, former OpenAI head of special projects, for her new AI research lab.
- Around ten researchers and engineers from Character AI and Google DeepMind have been recruited.
- Murati left OpenAI in September 2024 and reportedly sought more than $100 million for the startup in October 2024.
- OpenAI confirmed Jonathan Lachman is no longer with the company.
- The startup is in early stages and has not yet announced a name or product direction.
Connected Companies & Entities
8 Entities mapped“Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO, hired Jonathan Lachman, former head of special projects at OpenAI; OpenAI confirmed Lachman's departure....”
“Jonathan Lachman will work alongside top talents from Character AI and Google DeepMind at Murati's research lab....”
“Anthropic, a major OpenAI competitor, was also founded by former OpenAI executives....”
“According to Wired, Murati's startup is still in its early phase, with no product direction or name yet....”
“In October 2024, Reuters reported Murati was trying to raise over $100 million for her new startup....”
“In October 2024, Reuters reported Murati was trying to raise over $100 million for her new startup....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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