OpenAI aims to enhance ChatGPT & other products, acquires startup Global Illumination to accelerate the process

OpenAI, the renowned AI firm responsible for the viral AI-driven chatbot ChatGPT, has made its first-ever public acquisition by taking over Global Illumination, a startup located in New York. The startup specialises in harnessing AI to create innovative tools, infrastructure, and digital experiences. This move could also help OpenAI to work on commercialising some of it's products as current ChatGPT models aren't driving a lot of revenue for the company. 

The specifics of the deal's terms have not been disclosed. OpenAI expressed its enthusiasm for the potential impact that the Global Illumination team will have on its endeavours. They will be actively contributing to OpenAI's core products, including ChatGPT.

OpenAI has acquired the team at Global Illumination. The entire team has joined OpenAI to work on our core products including ChatGPT. The team previously designed and built products early on at Instagram and Facebook and have also made significant contributions at YouTube,…

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) August 16, 2023

 Key role in tech evolution

“The entire (Global Illumination) team has joined OpenAI to work on our core products including ChatGPT,” OpenAI said.

Global Illumination was founded in 2021 by Thomas Dimson, Taylor Gordon, and Joey Flynn, and has undertaken various projects in its relatively short existence. The startup received support from prominent venture capital firms such as Paradigm, Benchmark, and Slow. The team at Global Illumination played pivotal roles in shaping products during the early stages of Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Google, Pixar, and Riot Games.

Thomas Dimson, while serving as the Director of Engineering at Instagram, played a crucial role in refining the platform's discovery algorithms. His contributions encompassed starting the teams responsible for features like Instagram's Explore tab experience, feed and Stories ranking, IGTV, and general data engineering.

Global Illumination’s previous projects

Among Global Illumination's recent creations is Biomes, an open-source sandbox multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) akin to Minecraft, designed for web-based play. The fate of the game remains uncertain, but it is likely that the team's focus at OpenAI will be less entertainment-oriented.

While OpenAI has refrained from acquisitions until now, the company has received substantial financial backing from Microsoft and major venture capital players. This backing has enabled OpenAI to operate funds and grant programs aimed at investing in emerging AI-focused companies and organisations.