OpenAI’s Sora AI tool allows users to create AI-generated videos with text-based input.
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OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar is looking to reassure its investors that the much-lauded artificial intelligence startup is still in strong shape and poised to close a major funding round soon, despite losing top talent this week.
In an email to OpenAI investors seen by CNBC, Friar addressed the departure of Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, who announced her departure on Wednesday. Later that day, Sam Altman said the two top research executives, Bob McGrew and Barrett Zoph, were also leaving.
“I wanted to reach out in person following the news of Mira’s departure from OpenAI,” Friar wrote in the letter, which was viewed by CNBC. “Although leadership changes are not easy, I want to make sure you have a full core.”
Friar added, “We’re very proud of everything we’ve helped build,” and said the San Francisco-based company still has a “bench of talented leaders” to compete with.
OpenAI, supported by Microsoft and recently partnered with it an apple for its AI iPhones, is in the midst of closing a $6.5 billion funding round, which should cost the company about $150 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Thrive Capital is leading the round, and plans to invest $1 billion, according to sources.
Friar said in this email that the funding is overfunded and will be closed next week. He said the team plans to host a series of calls with investors to introduce the team to key leaders from the product and research teams.
“Together, we remain focused on bringing AI to everyone and building sustainable revenue models that drive our operations and deliver value to our investors and employees,” Friar wrote. The company is “excited to be with us as we enter our next chapter,” he wrote.
OpenAI declined to comment by email.
Murati’s departure comes after six and a half years at the company. He served briefly as interim CEO last year after the board of directors abruptly fired Altman. When Altman was quickly reinstated, Murati returned to the role of CTO.
Sarah Friar has been named OpenAI CFO
Anjali Sundaram | CNBC
The company was already facing the loss of key executives. Founder John Schulman and chief security officer Jan Leike left to join rival Anthropic. Founder Ilya Sutskever has left to start another AI company, and another founder, Greg Brockman, is on a leave of absence.
Friar said Mark Chen will step into the position of senior vice president of research, along with leaders such as Kevin Weil, who has joined since. Metaand Srinivas Narayanan “the right people to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
Friar was formerly the CEO of nextdoorand before that CFO in Block itwhich was previously square.
On Thursday and Thursday, at an all-hands meeting, Altman denied that he had plans to acquire a “larger equity stake” in the company, calling reports of such a development “not true,” according to a person present. to be present.
Altman and Friar both said that in the meeting, which was done by video, investors expressed concern that Altman does not have equity in the company he founded about nine years ago, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the meeting was held. for employees only.
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