OpenAI Hires Microsoft AI Expert After Facing High-Profile Departures

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI has hired Microsoft’s Vice President of Generative AI Sebastien Bubeck.
• Bubeck arrives at OpenAI at a time of significant change for the company’s leadership.
• Significant departures this year include CTO Mira Murati and co-founders John Schulman and Jan Leike.

As it navigates a period of significant change, OpenAI is shaking up its senior management, saying goodbye to some of the executives who helped make the business what it is today and welcoming a new generation of leaders.

Following the departure of CTO Mira Murati, OpenAI is bringing in Sebastien Bubeck, an experienced scientist who is leaving his role as Microsoft’s Vice President of Generative AI.

Sebastien Bubeck Joins OpenAI From Microsoft

For over a decade, Bubeck has been one of Microsoft’s leading AI researchers. In recent years, he has turned his attention to language models, contributing to projects such as Phi-3.

Bubeck’s comments  on Phi-3 point to the emerging role of smaller models in the delivery of AI services and his move to OpenAI could signal a shift for the company that has until now mostly focused on the largest models.

While some AI industry hiring practices create a sense of cut-throat competition between rivals, Bubeck’s move has the feel of a cordial exchange between allies. 

“Sebastian has decided to leave Microsoft to further his work toward developing AGI,” a spokesperson for Microsoft said , adding that the firm looks forward to continuing their relationship with OpenAI.

OpenAI High-Profile Departures

Bubeck’s arrival at OpenAI comes amid a wave of high-profile departures from the company, leading to speculation about its internal dynamics and future direction. 

The most significant exit is Mira Murati, OpenAI’s CTO, who played a crucial role in the development of ChatGPT and other key AI models. 

Other significant departures this year include co-founders John Schulman and Jan Leike, who have taken up new roles at rival Anthropic, and Ilya Sutskever, who left to start a new safety-focused AI venture.

Despite CEO Sam Altman’s efforts to depict recent changes in a positive light, there has been widespread speculation that recent exists point to internal tension amid a major restructuring and pivot away from the company’s non-profit roots.

From Startup to AI Powerhouse

As OpenAI evolves from a disruptive startup to an entrenched technology giant, some staff turnover is probably inevitable.

The qualities that make someone a good leader during the initial phases of growth aren’t necessarily the same ones needed to steer a multi-billion dollar business with over a million paying customers.

With the exception of Sam Altman and Elon Musk, OpenAI’s founders mostly came from a technical background and had little experience leading large corporations.

As the company grows, hires like Bubeck who have Big Tech experience and technical know-how will align with the growing requirements of OpenAI’s latest chapter.