OpenAI has recruited Mike Liberatore, the former Chief Financial Officer of Elon Musk’s xAI, to join their team in 2024. This strategic hire comes during a period of significant changes in OpenAI’s leadership structure and follows the dramatic departure and subsequent return of CEO Sam Altman in late 2023. Liberatore brings valuable experience from his roles at Stripe and Meta (formerly Facebook), where he served in senior financial positions. The move is particularly noteworthy given the competitive dynamics between OpenAI and xAI, as well as the historical connection between Musk and OpenAI, where Musk was once a board member and early supporter. This hiring decision reflects OpenAI’s continued efforts to strengthen its executive team and financial oversight as it navigates rapid growth and increasing competition in the AI sector. The timing of Liberatore’s transition is significant, as it coincides with OpenAI’s expanding commercial operations and the need for experienced financial leadership to manage its growing portfolio of AI products and services. This development also highlights the ongoing movement of top talent within the AI industry and the increasing importance of strong financial management in AI companies as they scale their operations and seek to maintain competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving market.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-hire-xai-former-cfo-mike-liberatore-musk-altman-2025-9