- OpenAI hires ex-Meta executive Irina Kofman to lead strategic initiatives, adding to its tech veteran team.
- AI startups like OpenAI hire ex-tech leaders for scaling, strategy, and innovation, aiming to compete with giants like Google and Meta.
OUR TAKE
OpenAI’s recent hire of Irina Kofman from Meta highlights its strategy to enhance its leadership with seasoned tech professionals. Kofman’s expertise in generative AI, gained during her tenure at Meta, will focus on safety and preparedness at OpenAI. This move underscores the trend of AI startups bolstering their teams with experienced executives to better compete with tech giants like Google and Meta, reflecting the growing emphasis on strategic leadership in the AI sector.
-Tacy Ding, BTW reporter
What happened
OpenAI has brought on Irina Kofman, a former executive from Meta Platforms Inc., to lead its strategic initiatives, further strengthening its team with experienced professionals from major tech companies.
Kofman, who recently joined the AI startup, will report directly to OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati. Initially, she will concentrate on safety and preparedness, as noted by a company spokesperson. Prior to this role, Kofman spent five years at Meta, where she was a senior director of product management specialising in generative AI, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Meta chose not to comment on Kofman’s departure. As the owner of Facebook and Instagram, Meta has been investing significantly in artificial intelligence. The company aims to refine its advertising business by leveraging algorithms to improve the timing and placement of ads. Additionally, Meta provides marketers with generative AI tools designed to enhance the effectiveness of their campaigns. These initiatives reflect Meta’s commitment to integrating advanced AI technologies into its advertising strategies.
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Why it’s important
AI startups like OpenAI are increasingly bringing on board business leaders with experience from major tech companies, especially those with backgrounds in social media. This trend reflects their efforts to scale up and compete with giants such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Meta.
In June, OpenAI appointed Kevin Weil, a former executive from Instagram and Twitter, as its chief product officer, and Sarah Friar, the former CEO of Nextdoor, as its chief financial officer. Similarly, OpenAI’s competitor Anthropic has also been attracting top talent from the tech industry, having brought on Mike Krieger, a co-founder of Instagram, as its chief product officer in May.
While OpenAI is bolstering its leadership team with new appointments, it has also faced some high-profile departures. Notably, former co-founder John Schulman and prominent researcher Jan Leike have both left the company to join Anthropic.
