Thinking Machines Lab, the AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, has lost its fourth co-founder. Weng Li, a former OpenAI research VP, announced her departure, citing burnout and health issues from the relentless pace. The company had just shipped its first model, an open-weight model called Inkling.
In a statement, Li said she fell ill over the past seven months and took a month off during the final push to launch Inkling. She considered scaling back her role but decided she couldn't commit with only partial focus. She plans to continue AI research but in a position with clearer responsibilities and a more sustainable pace.
Li is the latest in a string of departures from the high-profile startup.