Anthropic Strengthens Team with Hiring of OpenAI Co-founder Durk Kingma

Durk Kingma, one of the lesser-known co-founders of OpenAI, has announced that he will be joining Anthropic, a rising player in the AI landscape. In a series of posts on X, Kingma revealed that while he will be working primarily from his base in the Netherlands, he did not specify which division or team within Anthropic he would be leading or supporting. However, he expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to the company’s mission of developing powerful AI systems with a focus on safety and responsibility, stating that Anthropic’s approach aligns closely with his own views on AI development.

Kingma brings an impressive academic and professional background to Anthropic. He holds a Ph.D. in machine learning from the University of Amsterdam and previously worked as a research scientist at Google, where he was a doctoral fellow before joining OpenAI’s founding team. During his time at OpenAI, Kingma led the algorithms team, focusing on foundational research in generative AI, including the development of major projects like DALL-E 3 and ChatGPT. After leaving OpenAI in 2018, Kingma became an angel investor and advisor to various AI startups and later rejoined Google Brain, a leading AI research division, until its merger with DeepMind in 2023.

Kingma’s hiring is the latest in a series of high-profile talent acquisitions by Anthropic. Earlier this year, the company brought on Jan Leike, OpenAI’s former safety lead, and John Schulman, another OpenAI co-founder, to bolster its team. In addition, Instagram and Artifact co-founder Mike Krieger was appointed as Anthropic’s first head of product in May.

Anthropic, founded by CEO Dario Amodei, has positioned itself as a more safety-focused alternative to OpenAI. Amodei, who previously served as VP of research at OpenAI, left the organization over differences regarding OpenAI’s commercial trajectory. Since its inception, Anthropic has aimed to develop AI technologies that prioritize ethical considerations and long-term safety, a philosophy that appears to resonate with the new hires from OpenAI.

With the addition of Durk Kingma, Anthropic continues to solidify its standing as a key player in the AI industry by attracting top-tier talent renowned for both their technical expertise and commitment to responsible innovation. Kingma’s extensive experience in developing foundational algorithms for generative AI, combined with his leadership roles at OpenAI and Google, positions him as a valuable asset to Anthropic's mission. His expertise will likely contribute to further advancements in AI technology while maintaining a strong focus on safety and ethical practices.

This move reflects Anthropic’s broader strategy of building a team composed of leaders who are not only capable of driving cutting-edge research but also dedicated to addressing the risks associated with rapidly advancing AI. The company has consistently prioritized a responsible approach to AI development, distinguishing itself from other tech firms by focusing on the long-term safety of AI systems.

By recruiting some of the brightest minds in the field, including other notable hires like OpenAI co-founders Jan Leike and John Schulman, Anthropic aims to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve while maintaining control over its potential societal impacts. This emphasis on safety, combined with innovation, sets Anthropic apart as a leader in creating AI systems that balance groundbreaking capabilities with robust safeguards.

As Anthropic continues to expand, the integration of Kingma’s skills and vision signals the company’s ongoing commitment to responsible AI development. This strategic hiring move reinforces Anthropic's intention to play a leading role in shaping the future of AI, ensuring that its advancements benefit humanity while minimizing risks in a controlled and ethical manner.