OpenAI Confirms Departure of Data Center Chief as it Shifts Focus to Leasing
OpenAI has confirmed that Chris Malone, its head of data centers, has left the company after 17 months. According to The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI has appointed a CTO for computing capacity and is now focusing on leasing entire facilities.
August 25, 2026
Chris Malone, Head of Data Centers at OpenAI.
Credit: Chris Malone / LinkedIn
OpenAI has confirmed the departure of its executive responsible for data center buildout, and the company has since reorganized the role.
Malone joined OpenAI in March 2025, shortly after the announcement of Stargate, a program aimed at building computing capacity in partnership with Oracle and SoftBank. The flagship site for this project is still under construction in Abilene, Texas.
The Wall Street Journal reported that OpenAI has made leadership changes within its infrastructure team, appointing a CTO to oversee computing capacity. The company is also reviving efforts to lease entire data centers, a strategy different from building new facilities.
Leasing facilities involves taking on capacity already financed by others, which offers quicker and more cost-effective solutions compared to building from scratch. This shift in strategy is a significant change for OpenAI, implying a preference for leasing over construction.
A Wave of Departures
The departure of Malone is part of a broader trend, with several senior executives leaving or transitioning roles since April. This includes Kevin Weil, former product chief; Fidji Simo, who stepped down from her role after taking medical leave; Brad Lightcap, COO, who announced his departure after eight years; and the head of safety, who left in July.
OpenAI named Dali Rajic as its second chief revenue officer in under a year, replacing Denise Dresser, former Slack CEO. Sarah Friar, CFO, informed staff last week that the company aims to go public in 2027 or sooner.
While some departures are part of the company’s preparation for a public listing, the intense buildout of data centers has attracted talent with specific expertise, and some survivors may choose to leave once equity vests, especially when the focus shifts from construction to procurement.
Evolving Role of Data Centers
Managing data centers for an AI lab is no longer solely a property function but has become a power function, as OpenAI has emphasized through its hiring. In August, the company advertised for a Power Trading Lead, highlighting the importance of electricity in their operations.