Former executives from OpenAI are spearheading new billion-dollar AI startups, securing significant backing from prominent investors including OpenAI itself, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). These ventures aim to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced AI technologies, leveraging the expertise and networks of their founders to drive innovation in the sector. The involvement of such high-profile investors underscores the confidence in the potential of these startups to make substantial impacts in the AI industry.