For years, Mira Murati has worked behind the scenes at OpenAI, overseeing the development and delivery of revolutionary products such as ChatGPT and DALL-E. Now, she is stepping into the limelight as its interim chief executive.

Ms. Murati, 34, was elevated to the top position at the high-profile company on Friday when OpenAI’s board of directors ousted Sam Altman, the company’s co-founder and chief executive. The company said that Ms. Murati had a “unique skill set” and would provide “a seamless transition while it conducts a formal search for a permanent C.E.O.”

Though she has carried the title of chief technology officer since last year, current and former employees said Ms. Murati had been functioning as the company’s head of operations. She made sure that its engineers developed versions of ChatGPT on schedule. She also handled the company’s relationship with Microsoft, an investor and partner who has deployed OpenAI’s technology, and she helped shape its artificial intelligence policy in Washington and Europe.

“She has a demonstrated ability to assemble teams with technical expertise, commercial acumen and a deep appreciation for the importance of mission,” Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, wrote in a piece about her for Time magazine. “As a result, Mira has helped build some of the most exciting A.I. technologies we’ve ever seen.”