Former OpenAI CTO Murati Unveils Plans for New AI Startup

In a significant development in the AI landscape, former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has announced the launch of her new startup, Thinking Machines Lab. The company, which came out of stealth mode on February 19, 2025, aims to build AI systems that are more widely understood, customizable, and generally capable than those currently available. Murati, who served as OpenAI's interim CEO after Sam Altman's abrupt firing, is heading up the new venture as CEO.

Thinking Machines Lab has assembled a formidable team, including OpenAI co-founder John Schulman as chief scientist and former OpenAI CTO Barrett Zoph as CTO. The company's blog post shared with TechCrunch highlights the key gaps in AI understanding and customization that the startup aims to address. These gaps include the scientific community's lagging understanding of frontier AI systems, the concentration of knowledge within top research labs, and the difficulty of customizing AI systems to specific needs and values.

To tackle these challenges, Thinking Machines Lab plans to focus on building "multimodal" systems that work collaboratively with people and can adapt to the full spectrum of human expertise. The company is also developing advanced models at the frontier of capabilities in domains like science and programming, which could unlock transformative applications and benefits such as enabling novel scientific discoveries and engineering breakthroughs.

AI safety is another core tenet of Thinking Machines Lab's work. The company plans to contribute to safety by preventing misuse of its models, sharing best practices and recipes for building safe AI systems, and supporting external research on alignment. By fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration, Thinking Machines Lab aims to promote public discourse on AI and address the concentration of knowledge within top research labs.

Thinking Machines Lab's approach to AI safety, customization, and transparency sets it apart from other AI startups and established companies in the sector. The company's high-profile team, led by Murati, further enhances its credibility and potential for success. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Thinking Machines Lab's focus on addressing key gaps in AI understanding and customization positions it well to make a significant impact on the field.



Thinking Machines Lab's plans for AI safety and customization
Thinking Machines Lab's focus on AI safety, customization, and transparency sets it apart from other AI startups and established companies in the sector. The company's high-profile team, led by Murati, further enhances its credibility and potential for success. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Thinking Machines Lab's focus on addressing key gaps in AI understanding and customization positions it well to make a significant impact on the field.

In conclusion, former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati's new startup, Thinking Machines Lab, has the potential to make a significant impact on the AI landscape. By focusing on AI safety, customization, and transparency, the company aims to address key gaps in AI understanding and customization. With a high-profile team and a clear vision for the future of AI, Thinking Machines Lab is well-positioned to succeed in the competitive AI sector.