OpenAI Co-Founder Ilya Sutskever Assumes CEO Role at Safe Superintelligence Amid AI Talent Wars

Ilya Sutskever, co-founder of OpenAI, has officially taken the helm as CEO of Safe Superintelligence (SSI), the AI startup he co-founded in 2023. This leadership transition follows the departure of former CEO Daniel Gross, who left on June 29 to join Meta. The MOVE underscores the intensifying competition for top AI talent as tech giants scramble to secure expertise in the field.

Meta reportedly attempted to acquire SSI, but the startup declined the offer, opting instead to maintain its independence. With co-founder Daniel Levy stepping into the role of president, SSI is consolidating its leadership to navigate the high-stakes battle for AI specialists. "We are grateful for [Gross's] early contributions and wish him well," Sutskever stated in a public message to the team and investors.

The AI industry is witnessing a broader shift as technical founders increasingly assume executive roles, reshaping leadership dynamics and strategic priorities across the sector. Talent has emerged as the most critical resource in this race, with companies vying to attract and retain the brightest minds in artificial intelligence.