Mira Murati Launches Thinking Machine Labs with AI Focus

Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has announced the launch of her new AI startup, Thinking Machine Labs. The company, which emerged from stealth mode on February 18, 2025, aims to develop AI systems that are more customizable and capable than current offerings. Murati, who is leading the company as CEO, is joined by OpenAI co-founder John Schulman as Chief Scientist and Barret Zoph as CTO.

Thinking Machine Labs plans to focus on building "multimodal" AI systems that work collaboratively with humans and can adapt to a wide range of applications. The company emphasizes the importance of AI safety and intends to share best practices and resources with the industry to prevent misuse of its models. The startup's approach is detailed on their website, where they highlight their commitment to open science and collaboration with the broader research community announced on their website.

Murati's new venture has attracted significant talent, with approximately two-thirds of the team comprising former OpenAI employees. The startup is also in discussions to secure venture capital funding, reflecting a growing trend of ex-OpenAI executives launching their own AI firms. Murati's leadership and vision for Thinking Machine Labs are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of AI technology.