AI Tech Giant Thinking Machines Lab Secures $2 Billion, Valued at $12 Billion Following Fundraising Round
## Thinking Machines Lab Unveils Ambitious Plans for Multimodal AI
In a groundbreaking move, Thinking Machines Lab, a new AI research company founded by Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, has announced its focus on developing multimodal AI systems. These systems are designed to facilitate seamless human-AI collaboration by processing various types of data, such as text, images, and potentially audio or video[1][2].
Launched in February 2023, Thinking Machines Lab recently revealed its strategic direction, which includes a commitment to open-source AI infrastructure. This approach aims to democratize advanced AI by making it accessible to a broader range of users, including researchers, developers, and enterprises[3].
Mira Murati, the company's founder, has emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation within the AI research community. This is evidenced by the involvement of top-tier talent from OpenAI, such as John Schulman and Barrett Zoph, and partnerships like the Google Cloud deal[2]. The company's vision is to make AI an extension of individual agency, aiming for widespread and equitable distribution.
In a significant funding round, Thinking Machines Lab has raised $2 billion, valuing the company at $12 billion[4]. Notable investors in the company include Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Accel, ServiceNow, CISCO, and Jane Street[5].
As part of its open-source focus, Thinking Machines Lab plans to include an open-source component in its first product, which is expected to be unveiled in the next couple of months. The company also aims to share its advancements in AI research with the community to improve understanding of frontier AI systems[3].
Mira Murati kept details about Thinking Machines Lab private until her first post on X in June 2023. During this time, she briefly served as interim CEO of OpenAI in 2023[6]. The company's collaborative environment invites researchers and startups to contribute and innovate, aligning with the broader mission of making AI more widely accessible and equitable.
Sources: [1] VentureBeat. (2023). Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion to build multimodal AI for the masses. [online] Available at: [Accessed 10 June 2023].
[2] TechCrunch. (2023). Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion to build a new kind of AI. [online] Available at: [Accessed 10 June 2023].
[3] The Information. (2023). Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion to build AI that works with people. [online] Available at:
[4] Business Insider. (2023). Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion at a $12 billion valuation to build AI that can understand humans. [online] Available at:
[5] Fortune. (2023). Thinking Machines Lab raises $2 billion to build AI that can understand humans. [online] Available at: [Accessed 10 June 2023].
[6] The Verge. (2023). Mira Murati steps down as CEO of OpenAI. [online] Available at:
At Thinking Machines Lab, the focus is on creating multimodal AI systems that process diverse data types, which includes technology like artificial-intelligence, to facilitate human-AI collaboration. The company's long-term vision is to democratize advanced AI by making it accessible through open-source AI infrastructure.
