OpenAI Hires Former Meta Executive Irina Kofman

OpenAI has appointed former Meta Platforms Inc. executive Irina Kofman to head strategic initiatives, marking another significant hire as the AI startup continues to bolster its leadership team with experienced professionals from major technology firms.

Role and Reporting Structure:

Kofman, who recently joined OpenAI, will report directly to Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati. Her initial focus will be on safety and preparedness, areas crucial to OpenAI’s mission as it scales its operations.

Kofman brings with her a wealth of experience from her five-year tenure at Meta, where she most recently served as a senior director of product management for generative AI.

Meta declined to comment on Kofman’s departure. The company has been heavily investing in AI to enhance its advertising capabilities, utilizing algorithms for better ad placement and providing generative AI tools to marketers to create more effective campaigns.

The trend of AI Startups Hiring Big Tech Veterans:

Kofman’s hire is part of a broader trend where AI startups like OpenAI increasingly attract talent from established tech giants.

These companies bring leaders with extensive experience in social media and other technology sectors as they scale up to compete with major players like Google and Meta.

Recent High-Profile Hires and Departures:

OpenAI has been actively expanding its leadership team. It recently hired Kevin Weil, a former executive at Instagram and Twitter, as Chief Product Officer, and Sarah Friar, the former CEO of Nextdoor, as Chief Financial Officer.

However, the company has also experienced notable departures, including co-founder John Schulman and researcher Jan Leike, who have moved to rival AI startup Anthropic.