SAN FRANCISCO — OpenAI today announced a significant leadership change as co-founder Ilya Sutskever steps down from his role, making way for Jakub Pachocki to take on the mantle of Chief Scientist. The transition marks the end of an era for OpenAI, as Sutskever has been a cornerstone of the company’s research and vision since its inception.
CEO Sam Altman shared the news with the OpenAI team, expressing deep gratitude for Sutskever’s contributions. “Ilya is not just a brilliant scientist; he’s been a guiding light for OpenAI and a close friend. His departure is a significant moment for us, but I fully support his decision to pursue something personally meaningful. OpenAI wouldn’t be where it is today without his intellect, warmth, and commitment,” Altman stated.
Jakub Pachocki, who has been with OpenAI since 2017 and has played a pivotal role in projects such as GPT-4 and OpenAI Five, will step into the role of Chief Scientist. Altman expressed confidence in Pachocki’s ability to lead OpenAI’s research efforts forward, emphasizing his proven track record and visionary approach. “Jakub is one of the great minds of our generation, and I am thrilled to see him lead us towards our mission of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone.”
Pachocki, who holds a PhD in theoretical computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, has been instrumental in advancing OpenAI’s research initiatives, particularly in the fields of deep learning and reinforcement learning. His promotion to Chief Scientist signifies OpenAI’s continued commitment to pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence, with a focus on safety and broad societal benefits.
As OpenAI navigates this leadership transition, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to create and ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) serves the broader interests of humanity. The company looks forward to the next chapter under Pachocki’s leadership, building on the solid foundation laid by Sutskever.