Kevin Weil Leaves OpenAI as Science Team Decentralizes
Kevin Weil, who served as OpenAI's chief product officer before shifting to lead a new AI workspace for scientists called Prism, has left the company. A WIRED report confirmed the departure. Weil previously held early product leadership roles at Instagram.
In a Friday social media post, Weil stated his last day at OpenAI coincided with the decentralization of OpenAI for Science into other research teams. He described the past two years as mind-expanding. Those years covered his time as chief product officer, his move to the research team, and his work starting OpenAI for Science.
End of Prism and Team Reorganization
OpenAI launched Prism in January as a web application designed to help scientists use AI more effectively. The company now plans to end the app. It will integrate Prism's features into its desktop Codex application, which focuses on AI coding.
The roughly 10-person team behind Prism will report to Thibault Sottiaux, OpenAI's head of Codex. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed these shifts. The spokesperson explained them as steps to align the company's business and product strategies. OpenAI sees potential to evolve Codex into an everything app.
Weil joined OpenAI in June 2024. Last September, he announced plans for OpenAI for Science as a new internal effort. Now, those staff members will spread across OpenAI's product, research, and infrastructure groups. The spokesperson affirmed OpenAI's dedication to speeding up scientific breakthroughs. The spokesperson called this one of the most direct ways AI can help people.
OpenAI, known for creating ChatGPT, started as a research lab in 2015. It has grown into a major player in artificial intelligence with tools like the GPT models and specialized apps such as Codex for code generation. Kevin Weil brings a strong track record in product development. Before OpenAI, he shaped user experiences at Instagram during its early growth phase under Facebook.
Company Focus on Core Priorities
Stay ahead of the AI curve
The most important updates, news, and content — delivered weekly.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
OpenAI seeks to concentrate on select priorities, including enterprise solutions and coding tools. Rivals like Anthropic add competitive pressure. The company prepares for an initial public offering later this year.
Last month, Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of AGI deployment, instructed employees to streamline product lines. This focus led OpenAI to stop its Sora video-generation application.
Multiple Executive Changes
Separate from Weil's exit, Srinivas Narayanan, OpenAI's chief technology officer for enterprise applications, told staff on Friday he is leaving to be with family. Narayanan came on board earlier as vice president of engineering.
Weil's move follows other leadership changes at OpenAI. The company recently reorganized its executives. Fidji Simo began a medical leave for health reasons. In that update, OpenAI noted cofounder and president Greg Brockman will manage products temporarily. Chief marketing officer Kate Rouch also started a leave for medical concerns.
OpenAI continues to navigate rapid growth in AI. Its workforce has expanded significantly since ChatGPT's 2022 debut, drawing talent from tech giants. Leadership stability remains key as it balances innovation with commercial goals.
This story is developing. Updates will follow.