Former OpenAI CTO Launches AI Startup Thinking Machines Lab

The artificial intelligence industry is witnessing a wave of new AI startups led by former OpenAI executives, and the latest addition to this trend is Thinking Machines Lab, founded by Mira Murati, the former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of OpenAI.

Murati, who played a pivotal role in the development of ChatGPT and other advanced AI models, announced the launch of her new venture with a focus on AI alignment—an area that aims to make artificial intelligence safer, more reliable, and better integrated with human expertise. Here TICE brings you exciting details of this newly launched startup.

The company, which made its debut through a blog post on Tuesday, aims to bridge the gap between AI research and practical applications by ensuring that AI systems evolve in a way that aligns with human knowledge and values.

“Knowledge of how these systems are trained is concentrated within the top research labs, limiting both the public discourse on AI and people’s abilities to use AI effectively,” Thinking Machines Lab stated in its announcement.

Building an AI Dream Team

Thinking Machines Lab has already assembled a team of around 30 AI researchers and engineers, many of whom are well-known figures in the AI industry.

Among the key members joining Murati’s new venture are:

• Barret Zoph, former OpenAI researcher, who has been appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Zoph left OpenAI on the same day as Murati in September 2024.
• John Schulman, an OpenAI co-founder, has taken on the role of Chief Scientist. Schulman has also worked with OpenAI competitor Anthropic, a company known for its work on AI safety.
• Other key hires include Jonathan Lachman, Lilian Weng, Luke Metz, Sam Shleifer, and Stephen Roller—all of whom have worked at OpenAI.
• The team also includes AI experts from Meta, Google DeepMind, CharacterAI, and Mistral, indicating that Thinking Machines Lab is bringing together some of the brightest minds in the field.

With such a strong technical foundation, the company is expected to contribute significantly to AI safety and alignment research, which has become a critical focus for the industry.

Murati’s Vision for AI

Thinking Machines Lab is entering the AI industry at a time when concerns over AI safety and control are growing. The rise of large-scale AI models has sparked discussions about bias, misinformation, and the ethical implications of AI-driven decision-making.

Murati’s startup aims to tackle these challenges by:

✔️ Developing AI that adapts to a broader range of human expertise – Existing AI models are highly effective in areas like programming and mathematics, but Thinking Machines Lab wants to build AI that understands a wider spectrum of human knowledge and professions.

✔️ Making AI alignment research more accessible – The company has stated that it will openly share its code, datasets, and model specifications to ensure more transparency and collaboration in AI development.

✔️ Bringing AI research and product teams together – Unlike the traditional approach, where research and product development operate separately, Thinking Machines Lab plans to co-design AI with real-world applications in mind.

"While current systems excel at programming and mathematics, we’re building AI that can adapt to the full spectrum of human expertise and enable a broader range of applications,” the company said in its statement.

This approach suggests that Thinking Machines Lab is not just focused on advancing AI technology but also on ensuring that AI can be effectively used across various industries.

Murati’s Exit from OpenAI and Industry Trends

Mira Murati’s departure from OpenAI in September 2024 came amid a series of governance changes at the company. She had joined OpenAI in 2018 and played a critical role in leading AI development and public engagement for the organization.

Before OpenAI, she worked at Tesla and augmented reality startup Leap Motion, further strengthening her background in cutting-edge technology.

Murati is not the only former OpenAI executive to launch a new AI venture. Several key figures have left the company in recent years to focus on AI alignment and safety, including:

• Anthropic – A startup founded by former OpenAI researchers that is focused on building safer AI models.
• Safe Superintelligence Inc. – Another AI startup led by ex-OpenAI employees, dedicated to developing AI systems with a strong emphasis on safety and control.

With Thinking Machines Lab, Murati is adding another major player to the growing ecosystem of AI companies focused on ethical AI development.

Seeking Venture Capital and Future Plans

To support its ambitious AI development goals, Thinking Machines Lab is reportedly in talks with venture capital investors to secure funding. Given Murati’s strong credentials and the company’s focus on AI alignment, the startup is expected to attract significant investor interest.

As the AI industry continues to evolve rapidly, Thinking Machines Lab will be closely watched to see how it positions itself against major players like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Meta.

The launch of this new AI startup signals a growing shift towards responsible AI development, where the focus is not just on making AI more powerful but also on making it safer, more accessible, and better aligned with human needs.

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