Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s president of product and growth, and Bill Peebles, head of the company’s science team, will leave the company as OpenAI discontinues Sora, its video generation tool, and dissolves its science division. The moves mark a clear shift in strategy from experimental consumer projects toward enterprise-focused AI services. Weil confirmed his departure in a statement on Thursday, stating the changes reflect OpenAI’s decision to prioritize commercial applications over speculative development.
OpenAI announced the shutdown of Sora last month, citing the need to focus resources on tools with direct business applications. The science team, led by Peebles, was responsible for long-term research initiatives that the company now considers non-core to its current goals. A company spokesperson said the restructuring aims to streamline operations and reduce costs amid rising competition in the AI sector.
Weil joined OpenAI in 2023 from Twitter, where he previously served as senior vice president of product. Peebles, a former Google Brain researcher, led OpenAI’s science efforts since 2024. Their exits follow other high-profile departures in recent months, including several executives overseeing non-core projects. OpenAI has not announced replacements for either role.
The company’s pivot comes as it faces pressure to demonstrate profitability after years of heavy investment in research and development. Earlier this year, OpenAI introduced new pricing tiers for its enterprise AI services, signaling a stronger push into corporate markets. Analysts say the shift may help stabilize the company’s financial outlook but could reduce its influence in cutting-edge research circles.
Source: techcrunch.com