Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of OpenAI, has unveiled her latest venture, Thinking Machines Lab, which aims to redefine the role of artificial intelligence in human collaboration. Founded recently, the lab plans to focus on developing "multimodal" systems designed to work collaboratively with humans, adapting to the full spectrum of human expertise. Murati joins a growing list of former OpenAI executives venturing into the startup ecosystem, bringing with her extensive experience in AI and product development.
Thinking Machines Lab seeks to push the boundaries of AI capabilities in domains like science and programming. The lab envisions building cutting-edge models that could enable novel scientific discoveries and engineering breakthroughs. One of its core focuses will be on AI safety, ensuring that these advanced systems operate reliably and responsibly. By prioritizing safety, the lab aims to ensure that the transformative potential of their models is both harnessed and controlled.
“We are building models at the frontier of capabilities in domains like science and programming,” – Thinking Machines Lab
The team at Thinking Machines Lab comprises 29 employees, hailing from elite institutions such as OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind. This ensemble of talent underscores the lab's commitment to excellence and innovation. Furthermore, Mira Murati's illustrious career includes pivotal roles such as VP of Product and Engineering at Leap Motion and Senior Product Manager for Tesla's Model X. Her tenure at OpenAI, where she led projects like ChatGPT, DALL-E, and Codex, further solidifies her expertise in the AI domain.
“Ultimately, the most advanced models will unlock the most transformative applications and benefits, such as enabling novel scientific discoveries and engineering breakthroughs.” – Thinking Machines Lab
Thinking Machines Lab is actively recruiting machine learning scientists, engineers, and a research program manager. The goal is to assemble a team that can build tools making AI adaptable to individual needs and goals. The lab emphasizes creating AI systems that are more widely understood, customizable, and generally capable than those currently available. By doing so, they hope to democratize access to AI technology and expand its applicability across various fields.
“Knowledge of how these systems are trained is concentrated within the top research labs, limiting both the public discourse on AI and people’s abilities to use AI effectively. And, despite their potential, these systems remain difficult for people to customize to their specific needs and values.” – Thinking Machines Lab
Murati's departure from OpenAI last October marked the end of a six-year tenure during which she significantly contributed to the organization's growth and innovation. She briefly served as OpenAI's interim CEO following Sam Altman's unexpected departure. Her new venture reflects her ongoing commitment to advancing AI technology while addressing critical issues like safety and accessibility.
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