Liam Fedus, the vice president of research for post-training at OpenAI, has announced his departure from the company to launch a new startup focused on using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery in materials science. Fedus, who joined OpenAI in 2022 after leaving Google, was promoted to vice president just last fall. His departure marks another high-profile exit at a time of significant leadership changes at the company, but OpenAI has confirmed it will continue to collaborate with and invest in his new venture.
Fedus, with a background in physics, plans to apply AI to materials science, an area he sees as crucial for scientific advancement. In a statement, he expressed his enthusiasm for combining AI with his knowledge of physics to drive innovation in the field. “My undergrad was in physics and I’m keen to apply this technology there,” Fedus shared. His new company will enter an increasingly competitive space, where tech giants like Google DeepMind and Microsoft are already making significant investments. In 2023, DeepMind introduced GNoME, an AI system designed to identify new materials, while Microsoft rolled out MatterGen and MatterSim, tools aimed at transforming materials discovery.
While Fedus’ departure raises questions about a potential talent drain at OpenAI, the company’s response suggests the split may not be as disruptive as it initially seemed. OpenAI has confirmed that it plans to invest in and partner with Fedus’ new venture, recognizing the strategic importance of AI in materials science. This continued collaboration underscores OpenAI’s commitment to advancing AI’s role in scientific research, especially as it works toward the goal of artificial superintelligence.
Fedus’ exit is part of a larger trend of defections from OpenAI, which has seen an increase in senior-level departures over the past year. The company’s leadership reshuffling comes amid a highly competitive talent landscape in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Investor Josh Kushner reportedly held a presentation for OpenAI employees in an effort to stem the tide of departures, warning that leaving could affect their financial interests.
As vice president of post-training, Fedus oversaw one of the most critical stages in AI development, where models like those powering ChatGPT are refined after their initial training. His experience and leadership in this area made his departure particularly notable for OpenAI, as it directly impacts the company’s product development pipeline.
Fedus’ new company will focus on applying machine learning to predict material properties and discover new compounds. By doing so, his startup aims to dramatically reduce the time and resources typically required for materials research and development, potentially transforming industries ranging from manufacturing to energy. The continued partnership between OpenAI and Fedus highlights the growing significance of AI in scientific fields, even as leadership at one of AI’s most influential organizations continues to shift.
