San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company OpenAI is ramping up its global expansion efforts, with Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap set to lead corporate partnerships and business strategy, CEO Sam Altman announced on Monday.
The move comes as the Microsoft-backed startup seeks to strengthen its dominance in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
Altman will shift his focus toward research and product development while maintaining overall leadership of the company, OpenAI said in a statement. “Brad will lead our global deployment, focusing on business strategy, key partnerships, infrastructure, and operational excellence to maximize the impact of our research,” Altman noted.
As part of its expansion strategy, OpenAI is collaborating with SoftBank Group and Oracle on the ambitious $500-billion Stargate project, aimed at creating a network of data centers to support AI workloads. The initiative is expected to provide the necessary infrastructure to power future advancements in artificial intelligence.
Lightcap, who previously worked with Altman at venture capital firm Y Combinator, joined OpenAI in 2018. His leadership in operations and business strategy has been instrumental in the company’s growth.
Additionally, OpenAI has expanded the role of Chief Research Officer Mark Chen, who will oversee the integration of research and product development. The move aligns with OpenAI’s broader goal of refining its AI models and enhancing commercial viability.
In February, Altman stated that OpenAI would streamline its product offerings to attract further investment. The company is currently in the process of raising $40 billion as it transitions into a for-profit entity to secure the funding required for AI advancements.
Last October, OpenAI closed a $6.6 billion funding round, underscoring investor confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
