Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has announced exciting developments for her new venture, Thinking Machines Lab, which is set to release its first product within the next few months. This comes after the startup, launched in February 2025, secured a staggering $2 billion in seed funding, valuing the company at $12 billion.
The upcoming product from Thinking Machines is anticipated to include a significant open-source component, a move that could attract developers and researchers eager to customize and innovate with AI technologies. This strategy positions the company as a potential rival to OpenAI, especially as the latter's open-weight model plans remain uncertain.
Murati, known for her pivotal role in AI advancements at OpenAI, is focusing on multimodal AI systems designed to interact naturally with humans through conversation, sight, and collaboration. This approach aims to make AI more adaptable to individual user needs, setting Thinking Machines apart in the competitive AI landscape.
The massive funding round, led by prominent investors such as a16z, underscores the high confidence in Murati’s vision and her ability to attract top talent in the escalating AI talent war. Despite having no revenue or products yet, the startup has already assembled a team of leading researchers and engineers.
Thinking Machines Lab plans to foster an ecosystem where AI systems are not only powerful but also widely understood and customizable. The open-source element of the upcoming product is expected to benefit startups and researchers by providing accessible tools for innovation.
As the AI sector continues to evolve, all eyes are on Thinking Machines to see how its first product will shape the future of human-AI collaboration. With Murati at the helm, the startup is poised to make a significant impact in the industry, potentially redefining how AI integrates into everyday workflows.
Alfred Lee
