Mira Murati, the former chief technology officer at OpenAI, is reportedly seeking funding from venture capitalists for her new AI startup, Reuters reports. Her company aims to develop AI products using proprietary models, although it remains uncertain whether Murati will take on the CEO role. Initial discussions suggest that the startup could raise over $100 million, reflecting Murati’s established reputation in the AI field. Barret Zoph, another prominent researcher who left OpenAI alongside Murati, may also be involved, although he has not commented on the matter. Murati has been actively recruiting former OpenAI employees for her venture. Her rapid ascent at OpenAI made her a notable figure, often appearing with CEO Sam Altman, especially during significant product launches like the GPT-4o model. Murati’s resignation in late September was part of a wave of high-profile exits from OpenAI, which is undergoing significant governance changes. She cited a desire for personal exploration as the reason for her departure. Murati’s move contributes to a trend of former OpenAI executives starting their own companies, with competitors like Anthropic and Safe Superintelligence emerging in the field.