OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research laboratory, is on a roll with acquisitions. Hot on the heels of acquiring database firm Rockset, OpenAI has now purchased Multi, a video-first collaboration platform focused on enterprise solutions.
This deal, however, takes a different route than a typical acquisition. According to sources, OpenAI has struck an acqui-hire deal with Multi. It means that the primary target is Multi’s talented team. The roughly five-person team is expected to join OpenAI after the deal closes.
This move signals OpenAI’s potential interest in expanding its capabilities in video collaboration technologies. Multi, previously known as Remotion, offered features like screen sharing, customisable shortcuts, and automatic deep links for documents and code.
“Recently, we’ve been increasingly asking ourselves how we should work with computers. Not on or using computers, but truly with computers. With AI. We believe it’s one of the most important product questions of our time. And so, we’re beyond excited to share that Multi is joining OpenAI,” Multi CEO and co-founder Alexander Embiricos wrote in a blog post.
However, the news comes with a bittersweet note for Multi’s existing user base. Embiricos announced that the platform will be sunset after July 24t, 2024. Embiricos offered support to current users, helping them find alternative solutions and potentially extending access on a case-by-case basis.
“We’ve closed new team signups, and currently active teams will be able to use the app until July 24, 2024, after which we’ll delete all user data. If you need help or more time finding a replacement, email alexander@multi.app. We’re happy to suggest alternatives depending on what exactly you loved about Multi, and we can also grant extensions on a case by case basis.”
Meanwhile OpenAI is yet to officially comment on how it plans to integrate Multi’s team or technology.