Thinking Machines, an AI startup launched last week by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, set to be valued at $9 billion

OpenAI’s former CTO Mira Murati has officially launched Thinking Machines Lab, an AI research company focused on making AI systems “more widely understood, customizable, and generally capable.” The startup came out of stealth last week and is already drawing serious investor interest, with funding talks aiming for a $9 billion valuation.

The launch comes five months after Murati, a Dartmouth-educated engineer with extensive AI experience, stepped down following more than six years at the company.

Murati’s Vision for AI

Thinking Machines Lab is setting out to build AI models with a focus on human-AI collaboration. The company has made it clear that open science will be a core principle, with plans to publish research papers, datasets, and model specifications. Murati framed the startup as an effort to bridge gaps in AI accessibility, stating, “To bridge the gaps, we’re building Thinking Machines Lab to make AI systems more widely understood, customizable, and generally capable.”

Before leaving OpenAI, Murati spent over six years working on projects like ChatGPT and other AI research initiatives. She briefly stepped in as interim CEO when OpenAI’s board fired Sam Altman, only to return to her CTO role after he was reinstated. Her departure six months ago left many wondering about her next move.

A Heavyweight AI Team

The startup has attracted a stacked lineup of AI researchers from OpenAI and other leading AI companies. Some of the key hires include:

• John Schulman – Co-led the creation of ChatGPT, now Chief Scientist
• Barret Zoph – Former OpenAI VP of Research, now Chief Technology Officer
• Jonathan Lachman – Former OpenAI Head of Special Projects
• Alexander Kirillov – Worked on ChatGPT’s voice mode

A Wired report revealed that the company’s first 10 hires included a senior OpenAI executive, plus talent from Google DeepMind and Character AI. Murati has also brought in engineers and researchers from Meta and Anthropic, signaling that this is no small operation.

$9 Billion for Mira Murati AI Startup Thinking Machines

Thinking Machines Lab is reportedly raising $1 billion in funding at a valuation of around $9 billion, sources familiar with the matter told Business Insider. For a startup that just launched, the figure is striking, but investors remain eager to back AI ventures—especially those led by former OpenAI insiders.

A spokesperson for Murati declined to comment on the funding details, but sources close to the matter confirmed that discussions are ongoing and terms could still change.

Another OpenAI Breakaway

Murati is the latest OpenAI veteran to start a new company.

• Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI’s former Chief Scientist and co-founder, left in May 2024 and quickly launched Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI), which is reportedly in talks to raise over $1 billion.
• Dario and Daniela Amodei, both former OpenAI employees, left years earlier to start Anthropic, which has since become a major AI player.

By late last year, only three of OpenAI’s 11 original co-founders were still with the company, according to The Verge.

Why It Matters

Thinking Machines Lab has the talent, funding, and ambition to become a serious player in AI research. Its commitment to open science sets it apart at a time when many AI labs are moving toward more closed, proprietary systems.

The startup is still in its early days, but with Murati at the helm and a team packed with AI veterans, it has the potential to shape the next phase of AI development. If the funding round closes at the reported valuation, Thinking Machines Lab will instantly become one of the most valuable AI startups to emerge from OpenAI’s alumni network.