Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, has officially launched a new AI venture called Thinking Machines Lab — a company aiming to develop next-generation AI models designed for meaningful human-machine collaboration.
Founded in late 2024 and emerging from stealth mode in early 2025, the company is now seeking to raise a massive $2 billion in funding, which could bring its valuation above $10 billion.
Murati is best known for leading the teams behind transformative tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Sora. She stepped down from her role at OpenAI in September 2024 to pursue this ambitious new initiative, which she calls “an essential leap toward AGI that is both safe and human-aligned.”
The startup has already attracted top talent from OpenAI, Meta, and Anthropic, creating buzz across the AI community. Murati’s leadership — marked by her vocal stance on responsible AI and ethical guardrails — has earned her significant recognition, including being listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI and receiving an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College.
Thinking Machines Lab is built around the vision of developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that enhances human productivity while ensuring societal alignment. In an industry racing toward increasingly powerful AI, Murati’s approach emphasizes safety, transparency, and long-term impact.
As venture capital interest in transformative AI startups continues to surge, AI International Online will be closely monitoring this new player in the race toward AGI.
Reported by AI International Online