OpenAI names ex-xAI exec Ruddarraju to lead compute and infrastructure

OpenAI has appointed Uday Ruddarraju to oversee its compute and infrastructure operations, consolidating these critical functions under a single executive. According to Bloomberg, the change was reported on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the company’s internal structure. Ruddarraju joins from xAI, where he led infrastructure efforts until July 2025.

Ruddarraju previously managed infrastructure at Elon Musk’s xAI, including the Grok 3 training run across 100,000 GPUs. He joined OpenAI in July 2025 and became chief technology officer for compute that same month. The appointment confirms a hire the company had previously kept secret, having declined to name its new compute CTO in August when it announced the departure of its data center chief.

Leadership Transition and Background

Sachin Katti, who had been overseeing infrastructure, will leave his role within weeks. Katti plans to stay on as an adviser, and the business leaders reporting to him will keep their jobs. Katti arrived from Intel late last year, where he served as chief technology and AI officer. He took over the Stargate project in March and led the $30 billion Georgia data center build, which was the first site designed and led by OpenAI itself.

Katti also oversaw an 8-gigawatt project in Ohio involving SB Energy and Nvidia. Axios reported from a securities filing that Nvidia has guaranteed up to $105 billion in lease and power payments for this Ohio facility. Additionally, Katti had run GPT-Infra since July, an effort using OpenAI models for tasks like semiconductor design. That responsibility now moves to Richard Ho, the company’s chip chief, who recently stated he does not fully trust the models’ design changes.

Strategic Shifts and International Pauses

The leadership change comes as OpenAI reevaluates its international expansion. The company paused the Stargate UK project in April, citing British electricity prices that are more than four times higher than US levels. Unresolved copyright rules in the UK also contributed to the decision. The UK government called the decision disappointing, and The Guardian later reported that OpenAI had never visited the north-east England site it had previously announced.

Other executives have also departed. Peter Hoeschele, who was central to the Stargate initiative, left for Meta earlier this year alongside two colleagues. Data Center Dynamics identified Keith Heyde and Shamez Hemani as the other departures. These exits highlight a period of transition for OpenAI’s infrastructure leadership team.

What should you do?

Security and technology professionals should monitor OpenAI’s infrastructure announcements for updates on data center locations and partnerships. Tracking changes in executive leadership can provide insights into the company’s strategic priorities and operational focus. Professionals should also watch for any shifts in OpenAI’s commercial partnerships or technology integrations.

What to do and how to stay safe: OpenAI

• Monitor official OpenAI channels for updates on infrastructure leadership changes.
• Review any new partnerships or data center announcements for operational impact.
• Track executive movements in the AI sector for strategic insights.
• Assess how infrastructure shifts might affect service availability or performance.

Step-by-step guide: Prompt Injection Warning Signs: How to Spot AI Manipulation

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the new head of OpenAI’s compute and infrastructure?

Uday Ruddarraju, formerly of xAI, has been appointed to lead OpenAI’s compute and infrastructure operations.

What is Sachin Katti doing now?

Sachin Katti is leaving his leadership role within weeks but will stay on as an adviser.

Why did OpenAI pause its UK data center plans?

OpenAI paused the Stargate UK project due to high electricity prices and unresolved copyright rules in the UK.