Nayak began her journey at Meta with the Data for Good initiative, where she explored how data and AI could be leveraged to support global communities. Over the years, she led several high-impact projects, including the development of Disaster Maps to aid crisis response, and the establishment of the Facebook Open Research and Transparency (FORT) team, which advanced methods in data sharing, differential privacy, and research transparency. Her work contributed to multiple landmark studies on technology’s role in society, including research published in science on elections and democracy.
Most recently, Nayak played a critical role in shaping Meta’s generative AI efforts, spearheading work on multiple generations of the company’s Llama models. Her contributions helped accelerate the development of large language models that have since become a cornerstone of Meta’s AI strategy.
In her new role at OpenAI, Nayak will collaborate with Irina Kofman, Head of Special Projects, to explore emerging opportunities in AI and their broader societal impact. Reflecting on her transition, Nayak described it as a natural next step in her career, bringing her experience in building large-scale AI systems to a team that is shaping the global conversation around responsible AI innovation.
Her move comes at a time when the AI sector is witnessing significant talent shifts, as researchers and scientists join forces with organizations that are driving rapid advancements in generative AI and applied research. Nayak’s appointment further strengthens OpenAI’s position at the forefront of this transformation.
