Ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s new startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is seeking a record-breaking $2 billion seed round to build customizable, general-purpose AI systems—despite having no product or revenue yet. (Source: Image by RR)

Murati’s Startup Aims to Build More General, Customizable AI Systems

Thinking Machines Lab, the AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, is making headlines with its audacious goal to raise $2 billion in a seed funding round—one of the largest in tech history. According to Business Insider, the startup recently doubled its original target and is seeking a valuation of at least $10 billion. The move signals significant investor confidence in the company’s potential, despite its current lack of product or revenue.

The company, as noted in techcrunch.com, only recently emerged from stealth mode and has yet to release a formal offering, but its appeal lies largely in the star power behind its leadership and team. In addition to Murati, Thinking Machines Lab has attracted top-tier talent from the AI world, including Bob McGrew, OpenAI’s former chief research officer, and Alec Radford, a key researcher behind OpenAI’s early breakthroughs. Both have joined the startup as advisers.

Thinking Machines Lab has stated its mission is to build AI systems that are more understandable, customizable, and capable than existing models. While details on how it intends to accomplish this are still under wraps, the emphasis appears to be on creating more transparent and adaptable AI platforms that improve usability and trust. This focus could help the startup stand out in an increasingly crowded AI landscape.

Despite having no product in market, the startup’s massive funding target and elite roster suggest a high-stakes bet on its future potential to reshape how AI systems are developed and deployed. If successful, Thinking Machines Lab could quickly become a major player in the generative AI space, competing with the likes of OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind.

read more at techcrunch.com