Former OpenAI CEO Steps Down, Adding to ChatGPT's Turmoil

OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, once held the highest position at the company. Now, she becomes part of a growing list of notable exits.

In a surprising announcement on Wednesday, Mira shared her decision to leave OpenAI after 6.5 years. She took to X to express her desire to "create the time and space to explore my own path." With her departure, she joins Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew and VP of Post Training Barret Zoph, both of whom are also leaving.

The past 18 months have been filled with ups and downs for the tech giant. Last November, Mira stepped in as CEO when Sam Altman was abruptly removed by the board, only to have him reinstated just days later. Then, in May, Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever left under tense circumstances, raising concerns about the company's handling of AI safety.

This news adds to the growing anxiety around the AI industry, often described as "chaotic" and resembling the "Wild West."

AI Leader's Sudden Exit Stuns Many

Mira Murati, who served as OpenAI’s CTO and briefly as CEO, is leaving the company, according to an unexpected memo sent to staff on Wednesday. In her heartfelt message shared later on X, she expressed her eagerness to "create the time and space to explore my own path."

In response, CEO Sam Altman expressed his deep gratitude for Mira’s contributions, stating, “I feel tremendous appreciation for what she has helped us build and achieve.” Addressing the sudden nature of her departure, he sought to calm any fears, saying, “Leadership changes are a normal part of any company.” Mira’s exit comes alongside those of CRO Bob McGrew and VP of Post Training Barret Zoph, as OpenAI seeks funding to boost its valuation to over $100 billion.

The news seemed to catch many off guard. For years, Mira has been a prominent figure at OpenAI, making numerous media appearances and facing her share of controversies.

Mira Navigates the Storm of Controversy

Just three months ago, Mira found herself in the spotlight during a heated debate about the implications of generative AI on the creative industry. While speaking at Dartmouth College, she remarked, “Some creative jobs may go away, but maybe they shouldn’t have existed in the first place.” This statement sparked discussions following a lawsuit against OpenAI by eight newspapers in April.

Since joining as a researcher in 2018, Mira has been a vital part of OpenAI, passionately advocating for the potential of AI, even when faced with increasing criticism. During her time, she oversaw the launches of groundbreaking tools like ChatGPT, Dall-E, Codex, and Sora, even briefly stepping in as CEO when Sam was fired, only to be reinstated five days later.

The AI “Wild West” Continues

Reflecting on the unexpected nature of Mira’s announcement, Altman acknowledged that OpenAI is “not a typical company.” It has indeed experienced a whirlwind of changes, with several key figures leaving amid various controversies.

For example, in May, Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever resigned over worries about AI safety. He was followed by former Safety Lead Jan Leike, and Co-Founder John Schulman joined rival Anthropic in August. Ilya has since started his own venture with $1 billion in backing.

Despite the turmoil, OpenAI is on the verge of securing funding that could elevate its value to an astounding $100 billion. While the company may seem caught up in scandal and drama, there appears to be a method to the madness, with numbers reflecting a promising outlook. For now, OpenAI remains a strong contender in the race for AI advancement.