Barret Zoph steps down from OpenAI months after leaving rival startup

Barret Zoph departed OpenAI for the second time, ending a brief return to the artificial intelligence company just five months after rejoining its leadership team.

According to The Verge, Zoph, who served as OpenAI’s head of enterprise AI sales, recently informed colleagues of his departure through an internal company message. OpenAI later confirmed that he is leaving the organisation.

Barret Zoph Leaves OpenAI for a Second Time

Zoph returned to OpenAI in January after a short stint at Thinking Machines Lab, the AI startup founded by former OpenAI chief technology officer Mira Murati. At the startup, Zoph had served as co-founder and chief technology officer before his abrupt exit earlier this year.

His return to OpenAI was viewed as significant because the company had increasingly prioritised enterprise services and coding products as key revenue drivers ahead of its planned initial public offering.

Enterprise Business Was a Key Focus for OpenAI

Shortly after rejoining, Zoph was appointed to lead OpenAI’s enterprise business efforts. The role carried added importance as the company sharpened its focus on commercial growth and enterprise adoption of its AI products.

OpenAI has spent recent months emphasising revenue-generating initiatives while scaling its business offerings for corporate customers. Zoph’s leadership position placed him at the centre of that strategy.

Return to OpenAI Followed Exit From Thinking Machines Lab

The executive had originally left OpenAI in late 2024 to join Thinking Machines Lab. However, the startup announced in January that it had parted ways with him. Reports at the time cited allegations of misconduct involving an undisclosed relationship with a colleague.

Murati subsequently confirmed that Zoph would no longer serve as the company’s CTO, prompting his return to OpenAI alongside several former colleagues.

Thinking Machines Lab and OpenAI Remain Closely Linked

Thinking Machines Lab has emerged as one of OpenAI’s most closely watched competitors. Murati, who briefly served as interim chief executive of OpenAI during the leadership turmoil surrounding CEO Sam Altman in 2023, launched the company after leaving OpenAI in September 2024.

Several former OpenAI employees joined Murati’s venture following her departure, though Zoph and two other former colleagues eventually returned to OpenAI together earlier this year.

At the time of their return, OpenAI Applications CEO Fidji Simo publicly welcomed Zoph, Luke Metz and Sam Schoenholz back to the company, describing the move as something that had been under discussion for weeks.

OpenAI Has Not Explained Zoph's Latest Exit

Neither OpenAI nor Zoph has publicly disclosed the reason for his latest departure.

The exit comes as OpenAI continues to expand its commercial operations and strengthen its enterprise offerings while facing increasing competition from both established technology companies and former executives launching rival AI ventures.

With Zoph’s second departure now confirmed, attention is likely to focus on who will oversee the company’s enterprise sales strategy as OpenAI pushes ahead with its growth plans.