OpenAI's Sora AI tool allows users to create AI-generated movies based on text-based input.
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OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar is trying to reassure investors that despite losing top talent this week, the richly valued artificial intelligence startup is still in a strong position and ready to close a major funding round soon.
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 in the day, Sam Altman said two senior research executives, Bob McGrew and Barret Zoph, were also leaving.
“Following the news of Mira's departure from OpenAI, I wanted to reach out personally,” Friar wrote in the letter, which was seen by CNBC. “While leadership changes are never easy, I want to make sure you understand the full context.”
Freer added, “We are extremely proud of everything she helped build,” and said the San Francisco-based company still has a “talented leadership team” to compete.
OpenAI, supported by Microsoft and recently with apple The company is completing a $6.5 billion financing round that will value the company at about $150 billion, people familiar with the matter said. Sources revealed that Thrive Capital led this round of financing and plans to invest US$1 billion.
The round is oversubscribed and will close next week, Friar said in an email. She said the team plans to hold a series of conference calls with investors to introduce the team to key leaders from the product and research teams.
“Overall, we remain focused on bringing artificial intelligence to everyone and building a sustainable revenue model that drives our operations and creates value for our investors and employees,” Friar wrote. , the company is “excited to have you join us in this next chapter.”
OpenAI declined to comment on the email.
Mulati left the company after six and a half years. She briefly served as interim CEO last year after the board abruptly fired Altman. When Altman was quickly reinstated, Mulati resumed his role as chief technical officer.
Sarah Friar appointed OpenAI financial officer
Anjali Sundaram | CNBC
The company is already dealing with the loss of key management personnel. Co-founder John Schulman and security chief Jan Leike left to join rival Anthropic. Co-founder Ilya Sutskever left to start another artificial intelligence company, while co-founder Greg Brockman is taking a sabbatical.
Friar said Mark Chen will take over as senior vice president of research, while leaders such as Kevin Weil will step down from YuanSrinivas Narayanan is “the right person to continue to push the boundaries of innovation.”
Friar was C.E.O. next doorand before that, Treasurer cloggedformerly known as the Square.
Also at an all-hands meeting on Thursday, Altman dismissed suggestions that he planned to take a “significant stake” in the company and said reports of the development were “not true,” according to a person familiar with the matter.
The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said both Altman and Friel said in the meeting via videoconference that investors were concerned that Altman did not have an equity stake in the company he co-founded nearly nine years ago. . For employee use only.
watch: Sam Altman's top deputy quits
