OpenAI Co-Lead Departs for Google, Leaving Video Generator Project Behind
Tim Brooks, one of the co-leads on OpenAI’s video generator project, Sora, has announced his departure from the company to join Google DeepMind, Google’s AI research division. In a post on X, Brooks expressed his gratitude for his time at OpenAI and his excitement for the next chapter at Google DeepMind.
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis welcomed Brooks to the team, emphasizing his role in advancing video generation technologies and “world simulators.” The concept of a “world simulator” is still evolving, but it involves creating virtual worlds that can be used for various applications, such as gaming and training AI agents.
Brooks played a significant role in kickstarting the Sora project at OpenAI in January 2023. However, technical setbacks have reportedly hindered the progress of Sora, leading to delays in its release. OpenAI is currently working on improving the system to compete with other video generation models in the market.
Google also has its own video generation model, Veo, which was recently unveiled at the I/O developer conference. This model will soon be integrated into YouTube Shorts, allowing creators to generate backgrounds and short video clips.
While OpenAI has been showcasing Sora to filmmakers and Hollywood studios, it has yet to announce a major collaboration with a production house. The company has seen several high-profile resignations in recent months, including CTO Mira Murati, chief research officer Bob McGrew, and research VP Barret Zoph.
Brooks’ move to Google marks another significant departure from OpenAI, highlighting the ongoing changes within the company’s leadership. As the field of AI continues to evolve, competition among video generation models is intensifying, with companies like Runway and Stability making strategic partnerships to enhance their offerings.
