Key OpenAI Leaders Depart: Science Research Head and Sora Team Core Members Leave as Company Shifts to Enterprise AI

Two key leaders of OpenAI's core projects have recently left the company. Kevin Weil, head of scientific research, and Bill Peebles, researcher behind AI video tool Sora, both announced their departures on Friday local time. This comes as the company focuses on enterprise AI business and prepares to launch its "super app".

OpenAI previously decided to cut secondary projects, including user-facing Sora and the scientific research project. Sora, which cost $1 million daily in computing power, was shut down last month; the scientific research department (developing Prism platform) will be merged into other teams. Weil mentioned in his resignation statement that advancing scientific progress is an important step toward AGI.

Peebles believes that the development of video tools like Sora needs to be independent of the core business line. Additionally, Srinivas Narayanan, CTO of enterprise applications, will also leave, stating he wants more time with his family.