One of OpenAI’s highest profile executives, she’s among a series of longtime managers and researchers to leave the start-up in recent months.
Mira Murati, the chief technology officer at OpenAI, the influential artificial intelligence start-up, said on Wednesday that she would leave the company after working there for more than six years.
In a memo she sent to employees and later shared on X, Ms. Murati said that she was stepping away to “create the time and space to do my own exploration,” though she did not elaborate on what those next steps would be. “For now, my primary focus is doing everything in my power to ensure a smooth transition, maintaining the momentum we’ve built,” she said.
Ms. Murati is the latest in a string of high-profile departures in a turbulent year for the company, which includes the surprise ouster and reinstatement five days later of Sam Altman, OpenAI’s co-founder and chief executive.
Ms. Murati was briefly appointed to lead the company during the power struggle, before rejecting the role just two days later. She has remained one of the public faces of the start-up, making frequent public appearances to discuss its technology.
A spokeswoman for OpenAI declined to comment beyond what Ms. Murati and Mr. Altman have posted online.
In a reply to Ms. Murati on X, Mr. Altman thanked her for her years at the company and said he would provide more information on the leadership transition in the coming days.