Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati launches Thinking Machine Lab

Mira Murati, who was formerly the chief technology officer of artificial intelligence pioneer, OpenAI, has brought together a team of specialists, including some of her former colleagues, to launch a new OpenAI rival, called Thinking Machines Lab.

Murati’s idea is to build smarter and more open AI models and keeping them open through continued interaction with the ecosystem.

Announcing the launch of Thinking Machines Lab last week, Murati said the new company will focus on building super-intelligent foundation models, a move that poses a challenge to current AI leaders, including OpenAI.

Murati, once a key functionary of OpenAI, who played an important role in the development of most of its AI models, including ChatGPT, held the post of interim CEO for a brief period of Sam Altman’s departure and return as OpenAI CEO.

Murati, who left OpenAI in September 2024, has been drawing talent from top AI firms, mostly from OpenAI with the aim of making a fresh start without the pulls and pressures of working with an AI leader.

Murati will assume the role of CEO at Thinking Machines, leading a bunch of top AI talent serve as the company’s CEO, leading an elite group of AI pioneers determined to push the boundaries of the field.

According to its official website, Thinking Machines, unlike other AI research companies, wants to make AI both powerful and accessible, in a way that people should be able to customise AI models to fit their own needs.

Open source has its costs and it is difficult for any business model to give it away free-of-cost for a longer period. This is why most AI models, including OpenAI’s, ChatGPT, have taken the shape of proprietary models.

Thinking Machines wants to remain open-source and hopes to remain so by frequently publishing technical blogs, research papers, and even code. This open approach could attract a strong developer community and accelerate innovation.

For that, however, Murati and her team need to secure enough funds and sources of funds to be able to compete with deep pockets.