OpenAI's Chief Scientist Sutskever Steps Down, Welcoming Pachocki as New Leader

Ilya Sutskever, the chief scientist and co-founder of OpenAI, has announced his departure from the organization after a decade of pioneering work. He is leaving to pursue a project that he describes as “very personally meaningful.” In the wake of his departure, Jakub Pachocki has been appointed as the new chief scientist at OpenAI.

In a statement shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sutskever expressed confidence in the team leading OpenAI, remarking on the company's extraordinary journey. “The trajectory has been nothing short of miraculous,” he stated. “I’m certain that OpenAI will continue to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) that is both safe and beneficial under the leadership of Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Mira Murati, and now, the exceptional research expertise of Jakub Pachocki.”

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, praised Sutskever’s contributions, emphasizing that the organization would not have achieved its current standing without him. “While Ilya is embarking on a personally meaningful endeavor, I will always be thankful for his impact here, and I am committed to seeing through the mission we began together,” said Altman. “Having been close to such a remarkable genius, focused on securing a better future for humanity, has been a privilege.”

Sutskever's exit follows a tumultuous period for OpenAI. Last November, he played a role in the internal upheaval that resulted in Altman’s brief dismissal over accusations of not being “consistently candid” with the board. Altman was swiftly reinstated, and the board underwent a significant overhaul. Shortly thereafter, Sutskever expressed regret regarding the previous situation.

Jakub Pachocki, who takes over as chief scientist, has been with OpenAI since 2017. Pachocki has led various research teams at the company, focusing on deep learning, reasoning, and practical applications of AI, including in video game environments such as Dota 2. Prior to this new role, he served as OpenAI’s director of research.

Altman also shared his enthusiasm for Pachocki’s leadership, stating, “Jakub is undoubtedly one of the greatest minds of our generation. I’m excited for him to take the baton. He has overseen many of our most critical projects, and I’m confident that his leadership will drive rapid and safe advancements towards our goal of ensuring that AGI benefits everyone.”

Reflecting on his time with Sutskever, Pachocki highlighted the profound influence the departing chief scientist has had on his career. “Ilya introduced me to deep learning research, and has been both a mentor and a collaborator for many years,” Pachocki noted. “His visionary approach to deep learning was foundational not just for what OpenAI has accomplished, but for the entire field of AI today.”