Mira Murati, a trailblazing Albanian-American tech leader known for her pivotal role in advancing artificial intelligence, has made headlines again—this time for turning down a staggering $1 billion offer from Meta to join its AI division. Instead of joining the tech giant, Murati has chosen to forge her own path, launching a next-generation AI startup called Thinking Machines Lab, which has already secured $2 billion in seed funding and boasts a valuation of $12 billion.
Murati rose to prominence as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of OpenAI, where she led the development of some of the world’s most influential AI models, including ChatGPT and DALL·E. Known for her technical brilliance and strategic foresight, she played a crucial role in making artificial intelligence more accessible and usable by the public.
Her journey began in Albania, where she grew up and excelled academically. At just 16 years old, she earned a scholarship to study in Canada, eventually moving to the United States, where she pursued degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering. Her career kicked off at Tesla, where she worked as a senior product manager on the Model X electric vehicle.
After her stint at Tesla, Murati joined Leap Motion, an augmented reality startup, further expanding her experience at the cutting edge of human-computer interaction. In 2018, she joined OpenAI, where her work helped lay the foundation for today’s generative AI revolution.
However, after stepping down from OpenAI in September 2023, Murati reemerged in February 2025 with a bold new vision: to create AI systems that are more understandable, transparent, and customizable. That vision is now being realized through Thinking Machines Lab, a company focused on the next era of human-aligned artificial intelligence.
Thinking Machines Lab’s mission diverges from the current race to build the most powerful large language models. Instead, it aims to create AI agents that users can tailor to their specific needs, bringing more interpretability and ethical safeguards to how these systems operate.
“Current AI is incredibly powerful but largely opaque. We want to change that,” Murati said in a recent interview. “We’re building systems that people can trust—not just because they work, but because they’re understandable.”
The startup’s meteoric rise is backed by $2 billion in seed funding from a mix of top-tier venture capital firms and strategic partners across the tech and finance industries. The impressive funding round has placed the company’s valuation at $12 billion, making it one of the most valuable AI startups in history—even before launching a public product.
Industry experts see Murati’s move as a significant moment in the AI sector. Turning down Meta’s $1 billion offer demonstrates both her commitment to independent innovation and her long-term belief in building ethical AI systems from the ground up.
“Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab could shift the balance in the AI race,” said Daniel Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush Securities. “She has the technical pedigree, leadership experience, and now, the financial backing to truly disrupt the market.”
As the global AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, all eyes are now on Murati and Thinking Machines Lab. With her unique background, proven track record, and bold vision for the future, Murati is once again proving why she is one of the most influential voices in artificial intelligence today.
Sources:
- Interviews and coverage from Bloomberg Tech, TechCrunch, Fortune, and Wired
- OpenAI official blogs and statements
- Industry analysis from Wedbush Securities
