Mira Murati, born on December 16, 1988, in Vlore, Albania, has been the Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI since 2018. She graduated from Pearson United World College of the Pacific and holds dual degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Colby College (2011) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Thayer School of Engineering (2012). Dartmouth College awarded her an honorary Doctor of Science in 2024 for her contributions to artificial intelligence and technology.
Evolution of Murati’s Leadership at OpenAI:
In 2018, Murati joined OpenAI, initially a research lab, driven by her conviction in the transformative potential of generative AI. She began as VP overseeing AI and partnerships, focusing on supercomputing strategy and leading research teams. By 2020, she advanced to SVP for research, product, and partnerships, and in 2022, she assumed the role of CTO. In this capacity, she directs a 375-person technology team, contributing significantly to OpenAI’s evolution from startup to a pioneering force in AI. Murati remains integral to the company’s leadership team.
Murati oversaw the distribution of ChatGPT:
Murati’s pivotal role in developing ChatGPT and Dall-E, OpenAI’s text-to-image models, was instrumental in her ascent to CTO. In 2022, she assumed responsibility for overseeing ChatGPT’s distribution. Her leadership ensured timely updates and managed OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft, leveraging their technology and investment. Murati also played a crucial role in shaping AI policy in Washington and Europe, translating academic research into impactful products that democratize AI access and advance OpenAI’s mission on the global stage.
Played a key role in shaping AI:
Murati’s advocacy for AI regulation and governance has been influential, contributing to her recent appointment as CEO. Recognizing the potential risks, she has actively promoted collaboration among governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to shape AI’s future responsibly. In interviews with TIME Magazine and Wired, she underscored concerns about AI misuse and emphasized the imperative of integrating AI across society while addressing critical issues such as copyright, privacy, and regulatory frameworks. Murati’s leadership reflects her commitment to steering AI innovation towards beneficial and ethical outcomes on a global scale.
Engineering Journey – Tesla to VR Technology:
Before joining OpenAI in 2018, she spent three years at Tesla as a senior product manager. At Tesla, she played a crucial role in developing the dual-motor Model S, the Model X Sport Utility Vehicle, and Autopilot, the company’s AI-driven driving software. In a TV interview with Trevor Noah, Murati described her time at Tesla as pivotal, where she gained extensive experience in designing and deploying entire vehicles. Following her tenure at Tesla, she brought her engineering expertise to Leap Motion, a startup focused on sensor and VR technology, where she held the position of VP of Product and Engineering.
Murati’s Tech Journey – From Aerospace to AGI at OpenAI:
Murati has a background in engineering and technology across aerospace, automotive, VR, and AR industries, focusing on applying AI in practical settings. In an interview with Wired in July, she expressed a strong belief that AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) would be the ultimate and most significant technological achievement. This conviction drove her desire to be deeply involved in this frontier. Consequently, in 2018, she joined OpenAI, initially a non-profit research lab, to contribute at its core.