OpenAI Execs Reassure Staff After CTO and Research Chiefs Depart

In the wake of a series of high-profile exits, OpenAI executives moved quickly to calm internal concerns, with Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar telling staff that investor interest in the company’s current funding round remains “incredibly high". The remarks came during a staff meeting aimed at reassuring employees following the sudden departures of several key figures, including Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati.

Murati’s exit, reportedly conveyed to CEO Sam Altman on Wednesday morning and officially announced later that day, left many OpenAI staffers surprised. Her departure was followed by the resignations of Bob McGrew, Chief Research Officer, and Barret Zoph, Vice President of Research. Compounding the uncertainty was media speculation surrounding OpenAI’s possible transition toward a for-profit business model, a shift from its original nonprofit roots.

Here is what you need to know

In a staff meeting held Thursday, OpenAI executives — including Altman, Friar, and Murati — addressed these concerns head-on. Altman, who joined remotely from Italy, emphasized his continued optimism about the company’s future direction. He took time to thank Murati for her contributions and highlighted the promotions of Mark Chen, now Senior VP of Research, and Jakub Pachocki, who became Chief Scientist in May.

While Friar did not disclose specifics about the ongoing funding effort, she characterized the round as “very oversubscribed and market-defining.” According to a source cited in an Axios report, she noted that investors are “wowed by the OpenAI o1-preview,” a key product in the company’s pipeline.

The staff meeting also touched on the company’s broader strategy and its future, amid discussions around whether OpenAI might shift further away from its nonprofit origins. The possibility of granting significant equity to Altman has reportedly been under consideration by the board. Adding to the pressure is a clause tied to the current funding round, which allows investors to request their money back if OpenAI does not revamp its corporate structure within two years.

The bottom-line?

Despite the recent turmoil, OpenAI appears to be thriving from an investment standpoint. Friar’s comments suggested that the fundraising round is not only large but is drawing significant attention from investors, potentially alleviating concerns about the company's future stability.

For now, OpenAI executives are focusing on keeping their teams motivated while signaling that, despite the recent leadership changes, the company’s long-term vision remains firmly in place.