John Schulman, co-founder of OpenAI, has transitioned to a new startup led by Mira Murati after a brief five-month stint at Anthropic.

Schulman left OpenAI in August 2024 to focus on AI alignment and pursue hands-on technical work, emphasizing that his departure was a personal career choice rather than a reflection of OpenAI's support for alignment research.

Murati's startup, which is rumored to be named 'Thinking Machines Lab,' is focused on developing Agentic AI and has successfully secured over $100 million in funding.

A representative from Murati's startup declined to comment on Schulman's move, and he has not responded to requests for further details.

While details about Schulman's specific role at Murati's startup remain unclear, it is reported that she is raising over $100 million for the venture.

The trend of prominent AI figures leaving established firms to start their own ventures is evident, with other notable departures including Ilya Sutskever and François Chollet.

Incorporated as a benefit corporation in Delaware, 'Thinking Machines Lab' aims to balance societal impact with profit, providing protection against activist investors.

The startup has attracted talent from leading AI firms, including OpenAI, Character AI, and Google DeepMind, highlighting Murati's growing influence in the sector.

Schulman's move to Murati's startup is indicative of her rising prominence in the AI industry, as she continues to recruit top talent.

Anthropic, where Schulman recently worked, is gaining traction as a competitor to OpenAI, bolstered by backing from Amazon and Google.

Schulman's exit from Anthropic comes amidst rapid changes in the AI landscape, with increasing competition from companies like DeepSeek and Mistral.

Schulman confirmed his departure on February 6, 2025, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving a positive work environment and talented colleagues at Anthropic.