Mira Murati, the former CTO of OpenAI, is embarking on a new venture focused on developing proprietary AI models.

Early fundraising discussions indicate that her startup could potentially raise over $100 million, leveraging her strong reputation in the industry.

The startup aims to create innovative AI products, although it remains uncertain if Murati will assume the CEO role.

Her departure from OpenAI reflects a broader trend, as several executives, including the chief research officer and research VP, have also left to pursue new opportunities.

Barret Zoph, a notable researcher who departed OpenAI alongside Murati, may also join her new venture.

Murati's resignation coincided with significant governance changes at OpenAI, marking a shift in control away from the non-profit board.

Shortly after her departure, OpenAI announced a record-breaking $6.6 billion funding round, highlighting the ongoing evolution in the AI landscape.

Murati joined OpenAI in 2018 and became CTO in 2022, having previously worked at Leap Motion and Tesla.

During her over six years at OpenAI, Murati led significant projects like ChatGPT and DALL-E and played a crucial role in establishing a multibillion-dollar partnership with Microsoft.

Murati was a prominent public figure for OpenAI, notably presenting during the launch of the GPT-4o model, which enables realistic voice conversations.

Upon leaving OpenAI, she acknowledged the company's transformative impact on AI systems and expressed a desire for personal exploration.

The trend of former OpenAI executives launching rival AI companies underscores the rapidly changing dynamics within the artificial intelligence sector.