Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati has shook the AI industry once again with her newly founded startup, Thinking Machines, which is reportedly in talks to secure a staggering $2 billion seed funding round. If successful, this would mark one of the largest seed rounds in tech history, underscoring the immense investor confidence in Murati’s vision for the future of artificial intelligence.
Details about the startup remain under wraps, but sources suggest that Thinking Machines is focused on next-generation AI systems, potentially pushing beyond the capabilities of current large language models (LLMs). Murati, who played a pivotal role in the development of ChatGPT and other groundbreaking AI projects at OpenAI, is expected to bring her deep expertise in AI safety, scalability, and real-world applications to this new venture.
Industry insiders speculate that the company could be working on autonomous AI agents, advanced reasoning systems, or even AI that bridges the gap between software and physical robotics. Given Murati’s background, ethical AI development will likely be a cornerstone of the startup’s mission.
Raising $2 billion at the seed stage is nearly unheard of, even in the red-hot AI sector. For context, OpenAI’s initial funding rounds were significantly smaller before reaching its current valuation. This massive target signals that big-name investors are eager to back Murati’s new project, possibly including top-tier VC firms, sovereign wealth funds, and tech giants.
Reports indicate that discussions are already underway with potential backers, though no commitments have been finalized yet. If the round closes as planned, Thinking Machines would instantly become one of the most well-funded AI startups at inception.
Notably, this comes just months after Ilya Sutskever, another OpenAI co-founder and Chief Scientist, secured $1 billion in funding for his new venture, Safe Superintelligence Inc. (SSI), which is dedicated to building superhuman AI with built-in safety mechanisms. The fact that two of OpenAI’s top minds are now leading massively funded startups highlights the explosive demand for next-gen AI breakthroughs.
Murati’s track record speaks for itself. At OpenAI, she was instrumental in steering the company through pivotal moments, including the launch of GPT-4, DALL-E, and enterprise AI integrations. Her departure in late 2024 sparked speculation about her next move, and now, with Thinking Machines, she appears to be doubling down on cutting-edge AI innovation.
Given the fierce competition in the AI space with players like Anthropic, xAI, and established giants like Google and Meta, Murati’s ability to attract such significant early funding suggests that investors see her venture as a potential game-changer.
While an official announcement is still pending, the tech world is watching closely. If Thinking Machines secures this funding, it could accelerate the development of AI systems that redefine how humans interact with technology.
For now, all eyes are on Murati and her team as they prepare to unveil their ambitious plans. One thing is certain: the AI arms race just got even more interesting.
A $2B seed round sets a new benchmark in AI funding.
Murati’s leadership could position Thinking Machines as a major OpenAI competitor.
The startup’s focus may hint at the next evolution of AI, beyond chatbots and image generators.
