Former OpenAI technology chief Mira Murati to raise capital for new AI startup, sources say

Mira Murati, former CTO at OpenAI, is raising funds from venture capitalists for her new AI startup, according to sources.

Mira Murati, former chief technology officer at OpenAI, is raising funds from venture capitalists for her new AI startup, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The new company aims to build AI products based on proprietary models, said one of the sources who requested anonymity to discuss private matters. It is not clear if Murati will assume the CEO role at the new venture.

A representative for Murati declined to comment.

While the talks are in the early stages, Murati's new venture could raise over $100 million, given her reputation and the capital needed to train proprietary models, one of the sources said, cautioning that the figures have not been finalised.

Barret Zoph, a prominent researcher who left OpenAI on the same day as Murati in late September, could also get involved in the new venture, the sources added. Zoph did not respond to requests for comment.

The Information previously reported that Zoph is planning a new startup and that Murati has been recruiting OpenAI employees to join her new venture.

Murati at OpenAI spent over six years spearheading transformative projects like ChatGPT and DALL-E. She was a key figure in OpenAI's multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft, its largest financial backer.