After her sudden departure from OpenAI last fall, Albanian-American Mira Murati has founded her own company, Thinking Machines Lab. Coming from Albania, a small country with a rich history, Murati has now stepped onto the global stage to shape the future of artificial intelligence.
According to foreign media, the company aims to make AI systems "more broadly understandable, customizable, and generally more capable." Despite AI often being perceived as a field dominated by tech giants, Murati’s initiative brings a fresh perspective, emphasizing accessibility and human collaboration with AI rather than full automation.
Thinking Machines Lab also promises a level of public transparency, committing to regularly publishing technical research. In a press release, the company stated its focus is on building products that help people work with artificial intelligence rather than replacing human efforts with fully autonomous systems.
"We are building a future where everyone has access to the knowledge and tools to make AI work for their unique needs and goals," the statement reads.
Murati has assembled a team of about 30 top researchers and engineers from major competitors, including OpenAI, Meta, and Mistral. Approximately two-thirds of the company consists of former OpenAI employees, including Barret Zoph, a distinguished researcher who left ChatGPT’s developer on the same day as Murati in late September. Zoph will serve as the startup’s Chief Technology Officer. Additionally, OpenAI co-founder John Schulman has joined as the Chief Scientist of the company.
More former OpenAI employees are expected to join Thinking Machines Lab, as the company is currently in talks to raise venture capital funding from investors.
For an entrepreneur of Albanian origin, launching a cutting-edge AI company is a significant step. Hailing from a small nation, Murati is proving that talent and ambition can transcend geographical limitations. Her leadership in AI innovation stands as an inspiration, not only to the tech industry but also to small nations with global aspirations.