OpenAI has seen more than a dozen senior executives leave since the start of 2026, despite strong product growth, a leading model and preparations for a public listing. The article suggests the departures may reflect a restructuring intended to reduce costly side projects, sharpen the focus on revenue and clarify leadership as the company prepares for an IPO.

Chris Malone, OpenAI’s head of data centres, left after an infrastructure reorganisation that placed the team under vice-president Sachin Katti and president Greg Brockman; OpenAI said this change explained his departure. Brockman appears to be regaining broad operational influence, with infrastructure and product teams reporting to him, while OpenAI faces scrutiny over reportedly rising losses ahead of a possible 2027 IPO and competition from reportedly profitable rival Anthropic.