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TechOpenAI data center executive Chris Malone departs the AI startup
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Chris Malone, OpenAI's head of data centers, has left the company, adding to a series of recent executive departures at the ChatGPT maker. Malone's exit follows the announced departure of longtime executive Brad Lightcap, the stepping down of core business overseer Fidji Simo after medical leave, and the April departure of former product chief Kevin Weil. OpenAI has made leadership changes within its infrastructure team, appointing a chief technology officer to lead computing capacity. The company is reviving some data center initiatives, including leasing entire facilities, with other leaders taking over Malone's efforts. Two weeks prior, OpenAI named Dali Rajic, former president and COO of Alphabet-owned Wiz, as its second new chief revenue officer in less than a year.
Source report
Dina Bass Tue, August 25, 2026 at 12:43 PM PDT 2 min read
(Bloomberg) -- An OpenAI executive helping to oversee the AI developer's data center buildout, Chris Malone, has left the company.
Key Details
- Malone, who had served as OpenAI's head of data centers, is no longer with the company, an OpenAI spokesperson said Monday.
- His departure adds to a series of executive shuffles and exits at the ChatGPT maker in recent months.
Recent Executive Changes at OpenAI
- Brad Lightcap — Longtime executive announced plans earlier this month to exit the company for a new project.
- Fidji Simo — Oversaw much of OpenAI's core business; stepped down last month after taking a medical leave.
- Kevin Weil — The startup's former product chief, left in April.
Infrastructure and Leadership Shifts
The Wall Street Journal reported on Malone's departure earlier on Monday, noting that OpenAI has recently made leadership changes within its infrastructure team, appointing a chief technology officer to lead computing capacity. OpenAI is reviving some data center initiatives, namely projects that would involve leasing entire facilities, and others are leading that effort in Malone's place, the Journal reported, citing unidentified sources.
Malone didn't immediately respond to a message sent on LinkedIn.
Recent CRO Appointment
Two weeks ago, OpenAI named its second new chief revenue officer in less than a year, bringing on Dali Rajic, president and chief operating officer of Alphabet Inc.-owned Wiz. Rajic succeeds Denise Dresser, the former chief executive officer of Slack, who was hired for the CRO role at OpenAI in December.
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OpenAI Data Center Chief Chris Malone Departs Amid Executive Exodus