Sept. 25, 6:04 p.m. — OpenAI is undergoing a significant leadership overhaul. In a matter of hours, Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati announced her exit from the company, followed closely by news from CEO Sam Altman that Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew and Research Vice President Barret Zoph would also be stepping down.
Altman, addressing staff through a post on X, clarified that McGrew and Zoph’s departures were independent of Murati’s decision, but acknowledged the timing aligned for a smoother transition. “It made sense to handle this now and together, ensuring a seamless leadership handover to the next generation,” he explained. Altman also revealed several internal promotions, though he stopped short of naming Murati’s successor as CTO. His own focus, he mentioned, would pivot toward more technical and product-driven endeavors.
“Leadership shifts are inevitable, especially in fast-growing, high-pressure environments like OpenAI,” Altman noted. “While this abruptness is unusual, Mira’s reasons — no perfect timing, leaks were likely if delayed, and a desire to step down during a peak — are logical.”
Zoph, in his farewell shared on X, expressed his appreciation for the team, writing, “It feels like the right time for me to pursue new opportunities outside OpenAI.”
Earlier, at 2:22 p.m., Murati had made her surprise announcement, declaring her intent to leave the high-profile San Francisco-based AI firm. She initially shared her decision in a message to OpenAI’s employees before posting it publicly on X. Murati extended her gratitude to Altman and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, highlighting the groundbreaking work of the company’s team. She cited a personal desire “to create space and time for my own exploration” as her reason for stepping down but confirmed her involvement in the transition process.
“Together, we’ve expanded the boundaries of scientific understanding in our mission to advance human well-being,” Murati wrote in her note to the team. “While I may no longer be in the trenches, I will continue to cheer you on.”
Altman responded warmly on X, saying, “I feel profound gratitude for what she has helped us build at OpenAI and for her personal support during the tough times. I am thrilled for what she will take on next.”
Murati, who had spent over six years at OpenAI, played a pivotal role in the creation of transformative AI tools like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and Sora. Her tenure at OpenAI was filled with both achievements and challenges. ChatGPT’s explosive popularity following its November 2022 launch thrust Murati and Altman into the global spotlight. She appeared on the cover of Fortune Magazine’s October 2023 “100 Most Powerful Women” issue, and when Altman was temporarily ousted from the company later that year, she was named interim CEO by OpenAI’s board during a period of leadership instability.
However, not all was smooth sailing. One of the more difficult moments of Murati’s leadership came during a March interview with the Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern. When pressed about the data used to train Sora, OpenAI’s text-to-video generator, Murati appeared caught off guard and ultimately refused to give a clear answer. The misstep sparked a wave of criticism, particularly as OpenAI continues to face legal scrutiny over its data training methods.
As OpenAI confronts these pivotal changes, the company stands at a crossroads, preparing to chart a new course with fresh leadership at the helm.