GitHub loses CEO as Microsoft integrates it further into CoreAI team

Thomas Dohmke, CEO, GitHub

Microsoft is bringing GitHub closer into its CoreAI division following the resignation of GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke. After nearly four years leading the company, Dohmke is stepping down to return to startup founding and explore opportunities beyond Microsoft and GitHub.

Since Microsoft acquired GitHub in 2018 for $7.5 billion, the platform has operated with a degree of independence. However, Dohmke’s departure marks a significant shift in GitHub’s structure. Microsoft will not appoint a new CEO for GitHub; instead, GitHub’s leadership will report more directly to Microsoft’s CoreAI team.

In a memo to employees, Dohmke confirmed that GitHub will continue its mission within the CoreAI organisation and said he will remain through the end of 2025 to support the transition. He expressed pride in the company’s remote-first, global setup.

The CoreAI team, led by former Meta executive Jay Parikh, combines Microsoft’s platform, tools, and developer divisions with a focus on building AI platforms and tools for Microsoft and its customers.

This change removes a standalone CEO role at GitHub, aligning its management more closely with CoreAI leadership. The reporting structure has evolved since 2021 when former CEO Nat Friedman stepped down. Dohmke previously reported to Julia Liuson, head of Microsoft’s developer division, who now reports to Parikh as part of the CoreAI organisation.

Jay Parikh has shared his vision of creating an “AI agent factory” to empower enterprises and organisations to build AI tools on Microsoft’s platform. He draws parallels to Bill Gates’ vision of Microsoft as a software developer hub.

Dohmke recently appeared on the Decoder podcast, discussing GitHub Copilot and AI’s future in coding. His departure could see him return as a competitor to Microsoft’s AI initiatives.