OpenAI may have joined the robot race as ChatGPT-maker aims to rival Elon Musk's Tesla

OpenAI is reportedly looking to develop humanoid robots and has aggressively been recruiting top talent specialising for this as part of its broader artificial intelligence strategy.

A report has said that the AI giant has been actively looking for researchers with deep expertise in creating sophisticated algorithms for controlling both humanoid and conventional robotic systems. According to a report by Wired, recent job postings reveal the company's ambition to assemble a world-class team focused on developing robots that can learn through advanced teleoperation techniques and virtual simulation environments.Citing Industry insiders familiar with OpenAI's strategic initiatives, the report says that the company is specifically targeting humanoid robotics—systems designed with partial or complete human-like characteristics. OpenAI has also been said to have begun developing AI algorithms with enhanced spatial reasoning capabilities, potentially enabling robots to better understand their environment and execute complex tasks with greater precision.

OpenAI has hired ‘high-profile’ AI talent

Wired says that for its robotics programme, OpenAI has made several high-profile acquisitions. In June 2025, the company secured Chengshu Li from Stanford University, a researcher renowned for his contributions to robotics benchmarking. Li's academic work included developing comprehensive evaluation systems for humanoid robots capable of handling diverse domestic tasks.Additional talent acquisition includes two researchers from another prominent robotics laboratory, as per their professional profiles on LinkedIn.

A professor from a separate humanoid robotics research center also reports that one of their graduate students was recently recruited by OpenAI.

Elon Musk’s Tesla making Optimus robots

Notably, OpenAI will be competing with Optimus robots that are being developed by Elon Musk's company, Tesla. OpenAI's entry into space directly pits it against one of Musk’s core businesses. This creates a high-stakes rivalry between two of the most prominent players in AI, turning their shared vision of a robotic future into a direct competition for talent and technological leadership.Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left the board in 2018. Since then, he has been an outspoken critic of the company, frequently commenting on its direction and safety protocols. He has also warned about the potential dangers of advanced AI, a theme he has also connected to his own work on Optimus.