Thinking Machines Lab Secures $2B to Lead Next-Gen AI Research
On July 15, 2025, Thinking Machines Lab, an AI research and deployment startup founded by Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, announced it has raised $2 billion in funding, giving the company a post‑money valuation of $12 billion.
The funding marks one of the largest private raises ever for an AI company, underscoring the escalating global race to develop next-gen AI research and deploy transformative AI technologies responsibly.
Background: Mira Murati’s Vision
After stepping down from her role as OpenAI’s CTO in late 2024, Mira Murati founded Thinking Machines Lab (TML) to pursue an independent vision of advanced AI systems that are both powerful and aligned with human values.
“Our mission is to ensure the next generation of AI is both capable and controllable,” Murati stated in the press release. “We want to build systems that augment human creativity and decision-making — not replace them.”
Since its inception, the San Francisco–based lab has attracted talent from OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic, assembling one of the most experienced AI research teams in the world.
What Happened: The Record-Breaking Round
The $2 billion funding round was led by Sequoia Capital and included participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Temasek, and sovereign wealth funds from the Middle East.
Key details:
- Valuation: $12 billion post-money
- Lead investor: Sequoia Capital
- Participants: Andreessen Horowitz, Temasek, QIA
- Use of funds: scaling research, building safer models, expanding data centers
Sequoia’s Roelof Botha commented:
“Thinking Machines Lab is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of AI innovation. Mira’s track record speaks for itself.”
Why It Matters: The Next Frontier of AI
Thinking Machines Lab is focusing on next-gen AI research that extends beyond current generative models. Areas of focus include:
- Building advanced multimodal systems that understand text, images, and video seamlessly.
- Developing more energy‑efficient and environmentally friendly training methods.
- Designing robust alignment techniques to prevent misuse and ensure ethical behavior.
By positioning itself as a counterbalance to both Big Tech dominance and unchecked startups, TML is carving a unique niche in the crowded AI space.
Industry Reactions
The massive raise has stirred both excitement and questions in the AI community.
- Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Stanford AI Lab: “This kind of funding accelerates innovation but also heightens the need for oversight.”
- Ben Goertzel, SingularityNet: “It’s encouraging to see serious investment in alignment and control mechanisms.”
- NYT Editorial, July 16: “TML could become the most influential AI company of the next decade if it can deliver on its promises.”
Future Outlook
With significant funding and a visionary leader, TML plans to:
- Release a research‑grade, open‑source AI model later this year.
- Establish global research hubs in Europe and Asia.
- Partner with governments and NGOs to craft AI governance standards.
Murati closed her announcement with a statement:
“We have the resources, talent, and conviction to build the kind of AI the world deserves.”
