Ex-OpenAI CTO Launches AI Startup in the Netherlands
Eindhoven, Wednesday, 19 February 2025.
Mira Murati, former OpenAI CTO, has launched Thinking Machines Lab to make AI more accessible and open-sourced, backed by significant funding and partnership with the European Innovation Council.
Revolutionary Vision for AI Accessibility
Mira Murati, who departed from OpenAI in September 2024 [1][5], has established Thinking Machines Lab with an impressive team of AI experts. The startup features co-founder John Schulman and includes former OpenAI executives Jonathan Lachman and Barrett Zoph, alongside researchers from Google, Meta, and Mistral [1]. Murati’s vision emphasizes making AI systems more accessible and comprehensible, with a commitment to open-source technology [1]. ‘Scientific advancement is a collective effort. We believe we can most effectively enhance humanity’s understanding of AI by collaborating with the broader community of researchers,’ states Murati [1].
Strategic Focus and Innovation
The newly launched venture aims to develop AI systems that address three core areas: helping individuals customize AI to their specific needs, establishing robust foundations for more capable AI systems, and advancing open science to deepen understanding of these systems [5]. This approach aligns with current European initiatives in AI development, as evidenced by the region’s growing investment in AI innovation [GPT]. The company’s commitment to open science through publications and code releases [5] positions it as a potentially significant contributor to the European AI ecosystem.
European AI Investment Landscape
The launch of Thinking Machines Lab comes at a time when Europe is actively strengthening its position in AI development. For context, another Dutch AI startup, Deeploy, recently secured up to €7.5 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) [2][4]. This funding trend demonstrates Europe’s commitment to fostering AI innovation while maintaining strong ethical standards. The EIC has been particularly focused on supporting ‘Human-Centric Generative AI Made in Europe,’ selecting promising ventures from over 4,000 applicants [4].
Future Implications and Market Impact
Thinking Machines Lab’s establishment marks a significant development in the European AI landscape, particularly given Murati’s experience leading technology development at OpenAI [1]. Her previous role during the November 2023 events at OpenAI, where she raised concerns about AI’s drawbacks [1], suggests a thoughtful approach to AI development that balances innovation with responsibility. The startup’s commitment to open-source technology and collaborative research indicates a potential shift in how AI technology is developed and shared within the industry [5].