OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati, announced on social platform X that she is departing the company “to create time and space” for personal exploration. CEO Sam Altman also shared that Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew and another research leader, Barret Zoph, are also leaving the organization.
In her statement on X, Murati explained that after much consideration, she has made the tough decision to step away from the company behind ChatGPT. “I’m leaving to create the time and space for my own exploration. For now, my main priority is to ensure a smooth transition and sustain the momentum we’ve built,” her statement read.
Murati praised the company as being “at the forefront of AI innovation” and expressed how difficult it was to leave a place she deeply values.
Reflecting on her six-and-a-half years at OpenAI, Murati described her time there as an “incredible privilege” and extended her gratitude to CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman for their unwavering support over the years.
“I will always be really appreciative that I got to build and work with this incredible team. Together, we’ve expanded the frontiers of scientific knowledge in our mission to enhance human well-being. Though I may no longer be working alongside you, I will continue to cheer you on. With heartfelt gratitude for the friendships formed, the victories achieved, and, most importantly, the challenges we’ve overcome together,” her statement said.
Altman expressed his appreciation and thanked Murati for her contributions to the company. Acknowledging that leadership changes are ‘natural’ for a rapidly growing organization, he assured that transition plans would be announced ‘soon.’
“I feel immense gratitude for what she has helped us create and accomplish, but more importantly, I feel personal gratitude for her support and kindness during the difficult times. I’m excited to see what she will do next. We’ll share more about the transition plans shortly, but for now, I want to take a moment to express my thanks,” Altman wrote on X.