OpenAI Expands with Key Hires and Investments

OpenAI is strategically expanding its talent pool by hiring prominent industry figures to bolster its robotics and AI capabilities. Caitlin Kalinowski, formerly head of Meta’s AR glasses project, has been appointed to lead OpenAI’s robotics and consumer hardware division, marking a significant move as the company ventures into hardware development in collaboration with Jony Ive. Simultaneously, Gabor Cselle, former CEO of Pebble, has joined OpenAI to work on a confidential project, further indicating the startup's focus on innovation and expansion. This hiring spree coincides with OpenAI’s $400 million investment in the robotics startup Physical Intelligence, underscoring its commitment to integrating AI into the physical world. Additionally, OpenAI is reportedly working on a new AI model, 'Orion', which is said to be significantly more powerful than its predecessors, although its release details remain undisclosed. These strategic moves align with OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, as it continues to attract significant investments and talent.