Liam Fedus, Vice President of Post-Training Research at OpenAI, is leaving the company to launch a materials science startup powered by artificial intelligence (AI). TechCrunch reports that Fedus, whose work at OpenAI focused on developing language models, is now shifting toward using AI to accelerate scientific discovery in materials science — a field with the potential to revolutionize energy, electronics, and other industries.
Fedus confirmed his plans in a statement on X, noting that his interest in materials science stems from his academic background: “My major in college was physics, and I want to apply AI in that domain.” Materials science, which studies the properties and creation of new materials, traditionally requires years of research. But AI can significantly speed up this process by analyzing massive datasets and predicting the properties of novel compounds. For example, in 2023, Google DeepMind’s Gnome system discovered crystals that could serve as the foundation for next-generation materials, while Microsoft recently unveiled its own tools, MatterGen and MatterSim, for similar applications.
Fedus’s departure doesn’t mark a break from OpenAI — the company plans to invest in his startup and collaborate with it. “AI for science is one of OpenAI’s strategic focus areas on the path to AGI,” said Fedus. This isn’t OpenAI’s first foray into scientific projects: in January 2025, it co-developed the GPT-4b micro model with Retro Biosciences for longevity research, and its OpenAI Startup Fund has been actively investing in companies like Figure AI and Harvey AI.
Still, the AI materials science space is becoming increasingly competitive. In addition to DeepMind and Microsoft, companies like Chai Discovery are working on models for new drug discovery. Some experts interviewed by TechCrunch remain skeptical, pointing out that today’s AI largely relies on existing data — a limitation that could hinder truly novel discoveries without human input. Others argue, however, that AI will become an indispensable assistant to scientists, helping identify promising materials faster than ever before.
Fedus’s exit is part of a broader wave of changes at OpenAI: over the past year, the company has seen the departure of several key figures, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever and former CTO Mira Murati, both of whom also launched their own ventures. For Fedus, this move is a chance to return to his scientific roots and contribute to one of the most promising areas of technology. Can his startup compete with giants like DeepMind? Time will tell — but one thing is clear: AI is pushing deeper into fundamental science, and startups are playing a crucial role in that shift.
