OpenAI's Sora AI tool allows users to create AI-generated videos from text-based inputs.
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OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar is looking to reassure her investors that the valuable AI startup is still in a strong position and is set to close a large funding round soon, despite losing top talent this week .
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 that day, Sam Altman said two top research executives, Bob McGrew and Barret Zoph, would also be leaving.
“I wanted to reach out personally following the news of Mira's departure from OpenAI,” Friar wrote in the letter, which was viewed by CNBC. “While leadership changes are never easy, I want to make sure they have the full context.”
Friar added that “we are incredibly proud of everything she has helped build” and said the San Francisco-based company still has a “talented leadership bench” to compete with.
OpenAI, which is backed by microsoft and recently partnered with Apple in its AI for iPhones, is close to closing a $6.5 billion funding round, which should value the company at about $150 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. Thrive Capital is leading the round and plans to invest $1 billion, according to sources.
Friar said in the email that the funding round was oversubscribed and would close next week. He said the team plans to hold a series of calls with investors to introduce the group to key leaders from the research and product teams.
“Collectively, we remain focused on bringing AI to everyone and building sustainable revenue models that drive our operations and deliver value to our investors and employees,” Friar wrote. The company is “excited to have you with us as we enter our next chapter,” he wrote.
OpenAI declined to comment on the email.
Murati's departure comes after six and a half years at the company. She briefly served as interim CEO last year after the board abruptly fired Altman. When Altman was quickly reinstated, Murati returned to the CTO role.
Sarah Friar has been appointed CFO of OpenAI
Anjali Sundaram | CNBC
The company was already dealing with the loss of key executives. Co-founder John Schulman and security chief Jan Leike left to join rival Anthropic. Co-founder Ilya Sutskever left to start another AI company, while another founder, Greg Brockman, is on leave.
Friar said Mark Chen will take over as senior vice president of research and leaders including Kevin Weil, who joined from Goaland Srinivas Narayanan are the “right people to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation.”
Friar was previously CEO of besideand before that CFO in Blockformerly Plaza.
Also Thursday, at an all-hands meeting, Altman denied there were plans for him to receive a “giant stake” in the company, calling reports of such a development “simply false,” according to a person who was in attendance.
Altman and Friar said in the meeting, conducted by video, that investors have expressed concerns about Altman not having equity in the company he co-founded nearly nine years ago, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the meeting was only for employees.
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