OpenAI’s Sora AI tool allows users to create AI-generated videos from text-based input.
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OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar says despite losing top talent this week, the highly regarded artificial intelligence startup remains in a strong position and will soon close a major funding round. It is trying to reassure investors that it is ready.
In an email to OpenAI investors seen by CNBC, Friar referenced the resignation of chief technology officer Mira Murati, who announced her resignation on Wednesday. Later that day, Sam Altman announced that the top two research executives, Bob McGrew and Barrett Zoff, were also leaving the company.
“Following the news of Mila’s departure from OpenAI, I wanted to reach out to her personally,” Friar wrote in the letter, which was seen by CNBC. “Changes in leadership are never easy, but we want to make sure you understand all the context.”
“We’re incredibly proud of everything she’s built,” Frier added, adding that the San Francisco-based company still has “talented leadership” to compete. said.
Support OpenAI microsoft And we recently collaborated with apple The company, which develops AI for the iPhone, is in the midst of closing a $6.5 billion funding round that should value it at about $150 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Thrive Capital is leading the round and plans to invest $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
Frier said in an email that this funding round is oversubscribed and will close by next week. He said the team plans to host a series of conference calls with investors and introduce the group to key leaders from product and research teams.
“Collectively, we remain focused on delivering AI to everyone, building sustainable revenue models that power business operations and deliver value to investors and employees.” Frier wrote. The company “looks forward to you joining us as we enter our next chapter,” she wrote.
OpenAI declined to comment on the email.
Murati will retire after six and a half years of service. Last year, she briefly served as interim CEO after the board abruptly fired Altman. With Mr. Altman’s immediate return, Mr. Murati returned to the role of CTO.
Sarah Friar has been named OpenAI CFO
Anjali Sundaram | CNBC
The company was already dealing with the loss of key executives. Co-founder John Schulman and safety director Jan Reich left the company to join rival Anthropic. Co-founder Ilya Satskever left to start another AI company, and the other founder, Greg Brockman, is on leave.
Friar said Mark Chen will assume the role of senior vice president of research, with leadership such as Kevin Weil. metaand Srinivas Narayanan are “the right people to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
Mr. Frier was previously nextbefore that CFO. blockformerly Square.
Also at Thursday’s all-hands meeting, Mr. Altman denied that he planned to receive a “significant stake” in the company and said reports of such a development were “absolutely untrue,” the people said. said. Attendance.
In a video meeting, Mr. Altman and Mr. Friar said investors had expressed concern that Mr. Altman no longer owns a stake in the company he co-founded nearly nine years ago. said the person, who requested anonymity because the meeting was a public event. For employees only.
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