Nvidia Bets Big on Murati's Stealth AI Startup

In a major move within the artificial intelligence sector, chip giant Nvidia has formed a multi-year strategic partnership with Thinking Machines Lab, the startup founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati. The deal, announced Tuesday, includes a substantial, though undisclosed, investment from Nvidia.

Thinking Machines Lab, established by Murati in 2025, has operated with notable secrecy regarding its specific projects. Its stated mission is to develop AI systems that are more comprehensible, adaptable, and broadly capable. As part of the new alliance, the startup has committed to deploying at least one gigawatt of computing power using Nvidia's forthcoming Vera Rubin systems, the company's most advanced platform slated for release later this year.

Murati, who served as OpenAI's chief technology officer and briefly as its interim CEO during the 2023 leadership upheaval, has maintained a low profile since leaving the company the following year. Her new venture has already attracted significant capital, securing $2 billion from investors last July and releasing its first product, an API called Tinker, last October.

Nvidia, whose processors are foundational to modern AI development, has strategically invested in several leading AI firms, including OpenAI and Anthropic, which are also its customers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang endorsed the partnership, stating, "Thinking Machines has brought together a world-class team to advance the frontier of AI. We are thrilled to partner with them to realize their exciting vision."

The investment underscores the continued consolidation of resources and talent at the highest levels of AI research, pairing a leading hardware provider with a well-funded, ambitious startup led by a pivotal figure from the industry's recent history.

Source: CNBC