Microsoft VP of GenAI research departs to join OpenAI

Microsoft is hoping to persist their relationship via Bubeck’s work with ChatGPT manufacturer OpenAI

Tech Desk - Oct 15, 2024

An undated image of Microsofts office. — Unsplash — An undated image of Microsoft's office. — Unsplash

Microsoft announced the departure of its GenAI research Vice President, Sebastian Bubeck on Monday, leaving the company to join OpenAI.

However, it’s still unclear what role Bubeck would presume at the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence (AI) startup.

A spokesperson for Microsoft stated "Sebastian has decided to leave Microsoft to further his work toward developing Artificial general intelligence (AGI)," adding that the company is hoping to persist their relationship via Bubeck’s work with ChatGPT manufacturer OpenAI.

While Bubeck’s co-authors who teamed up with him to work for a research paper on Microsoft's Phi LLMs, are still planning to continue constructing different models for the American tech giant.

This series of departures from OpenAI including CTO Mira Murati and more has raised eyebrows whether it’s a planned restructuring of the company or something else. However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman denied any link between the departures of officials.