OpenAI is trying to scale the physical backbone of its AI ambitions while a senior leader responsible for that task heads for the exit. Chris Malone’s departure has landed at precisely the moment data-center execution has become central to the company’s next act.

Malone, a former Meta and Google executive, joined OpenAI in early 2025 to help lead its massive build-out plans. He initially reported directly to president and cofounder Greg Brockman, before an internal reshuffle earlier this year changed that reporting line.¹

The shift came as OpenAI sharpened its infrastructure push following the launch of Stargate, described as a $500 million US data-center initiative involving OpenAI alongside Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank and Microsoft. Malone later began reporting to vice president Sachin Katti, who took over leadership of the group, according to reporting on the reorganization.²

Last week, Malone left. The reason has not been disclosed. OpenAI framed the move as part of a structural adjustment, saying it had “recently reorganized” its infrastructure organization “to support the scale and pace of our work.”² The company said experienced leaders remain in place, including data-center team head Uday Ruddarraju, build-and-delivery lead Brent Mayo, and engineering chief Spas Lazarov.

That reassurance meets a broader, less tidy picture. Malone is the latest in what one account describes as more than a dozen senior exits this year, including former COO Brad Lightcap, former product and business chief Fidji Simo, and chief revenue officer Denise Dresser. Safety and ethics functions have also lost leaders, while the preparedness team was reportedly disbanded.²

Brockman has argued that OpenAI’s “spotlight” means “every departure gets scrutinized in a way that it doesn’t otherwise.”² But as the company prepares for a reportedly delayed IPO and pours money into computing capacity, turnover in the executive seat overseeing data centers is bound to attract unusual attention.