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OpenAI loses top executives Kevin Weil and Bill Peebles following a major strategic pivot towards enterprise AI applications.

A significant shake-up is unfolding at OpenAI. The artificial intelligence giant is losing two of its top minds. Kevin Weil, who headed the science research unit, and Bill Peebles, the brain behind the video tool Sora, announced their departure on Friday.

This exodus comes as the company makes a sharp turn in its operational strategy. OpenAI is moving away from experimental projects to focus on enterprise AI and a planned "superapp."

Reports indicate that the company is cutting back on what it terms "side quests." One major casualty of this new direction was the Sora video tool. 

It was shut down last month after reportedly incurring huge losses. The project was said to be costing about $1 million daily in computing expenses.

Similarly, the OpenAI for Science initiative is being absorbed into other research teams. Weil, who led this unit, announced his exit shortly after his team released a new model for life sciences research.

His tenure was not without controversy. Weil recently faced backlash over a claim regarding GPT-5 solving complex mathematical problems. The assertion was deleted after a mathematician publicly disputed it.

Peebles, on his way out, noted that true research requires space away from the main commercial roadmap. He argued that allowing some level of creative chaos is essential for a research lab to thrive.

Another key figure, Srinivas Narayanan, is also leaving. The Chief Technology Officer for enterprise applications reportedly resigned to spend more time with his family. These departures mark a pivotal moment for the organisation as it chases profitability.