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Jul 28, 2026

Lilian Weng steps down from Thinking Machines Lab citing startup stress

Lilian Weng, cofounder of Thinking Machines Lab and former OpenAI safety researcher, stepped down from the startup citing stress and illness related to the pace required by startup work.

Jul 28, 2026·2 sources

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Top claims

▪Emad Mostaque, founder of Stability AI, stated he "got real sick" while leading the company before his departure in 2024
▪Weng stated she was unable to continue at the "pace a startup requires" due to the physical toll of consistent stress and workload
▪In July 2026, Fidji Simo stepped down from her full-time role as OpenAI's CEO of AGI after a flare-up of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

People involved

Subtopics

AI safety & social impact1 AI startups1 Burnout1 Mental health1 OpenAI1

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