In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the names ChatGPT and DALL-E command attention, but behind the scenes, Mira Murati stands as a driving force at OpenAI as the Chief Technology Officer. Recently, she was brought into the limelight as interim CEO. Her journey from a mechanical engineer to a key player in AI development tells a fascinating story.

A noteworthy professional building the foundations of her career

While ChatGPT and DALL-E bask in the limelight, Mira Murati’s promotion to the position of interim CEO at OpenAI – even though it was a brief period – says a lot about her role in the company’s success. Fast Company’s recognition of OpenAI as the Most Innovative Company of 2023 further highlights Murati’s significance, especially in the wake of her recent leadership role.

Born in Albania, Murati’s foray into AI began in 2013 at Tesla, where the company was in a transitional period of releasing early versions of Autopilot, its AI-enabled driver-assistance software. As a mechanical engineer, her role extended beyond the confines of traditional engineering; she worked on AI applications such as robotics for Tesla’s factories.

The OpenAI transition: a unique skill set

As the AI landscape evolved, so did Murati’s journey. Her move to Leap Motion in 2016 reflected her pursuit of augmented reality systems, aiming to replace keyboards. Despite the technology not being ready for a mass audience, this phase in her career laid the groundwork for a pivotal decision—joining OpenAI in 2018.

Murati’s commitment to OpenAI’s mission, ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity, became evident. The subsequent transition of OpenAI from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity marked a strategic move to secure the necessary resources for groundbreaking AI development.

Leadership transitions – Mira Murati

Fast forward to 2023, and Murati finds herself behind the scenes and at the forefront of OpenAI’s leadership. Named interim CEO on November 17, following the departure of former CEO Sam Altman, Murati’s leadership was temporary. Emmett Shear took over briefly, only to be replaced when Altman returned on November 29. In his return, Altman publicly praised Murati’s role in steering the ship during his absence, highlighting her as an “incredible leader.” After all these transitions, she returned to her original role as CTO.

Advocacy for public testing and regulation – Mira Murati

Mira Murati, beyond her technical prowess, is a strong advocate for public testing of AI products. She believes real-world interactions are crucial in refining OpenAI’s products, emphasizing the need to include the public in the conversation around artificial general intelligence.

Her stance on regulation further sets her apart in the tech industry. Recognizing the societal impact of AI, Murati insists on involving voices beyond technologists, calling for collaboration with philosophers, social scientists, artists, and those from the humanities. In an era where concerns about AI emerge, Murati’s advocacy for responsible development and ethical considerations are essential.

Human-centric AI and future aspirations

While the world faces AI’s rapid advancement, Murati focuses on how humans will interact with this technology. Unlike some visions of sentient artificial general intelligence, she views consciousness as a philosophical idea, seeking to reimagine the Turing test to incorporate a broad spectrum of cognitive tasks.

As GPT-4, OpenAI’s next significant language model, steps into the spotlight, Murati hopes for a more measured response. She envisions GPT-4 as a tool to broaden opportunities, particularly in education, where it can assist in writing lesson plans and facilitate innovative approaches to student learning.

Beyond Tech

Beyond her role in shaping the future of AI, Mira Murati offered a glimpse into her favourites. From citing “2001: A Space Odyssey” as a favourite movie to finding inspiration in Radiohead’s “Paranoid Android” and Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies, her diverse interests go beyond the realm of technology.