Meta AI director Rohit Patel leaves to take on Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

A new open-source file format that can be opened in any browser is now available, aiming to prevent vendor lock-in with major software suites.

Rohit Patel, formerly a director at Meta Superintelligence Labs, has left the company after eight years to launch a new startup called Ndoc. Patel aims to create an AI-native replacement for existing productivity suites like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Ndoc integrates three core components: a Stage tab for presentations and dashboards, a Narrative tab for analyses and explanations, and a Model tab for datasets and code. This unified workspace is designed to replace the fragmented workflow of using separate tools for documents, data, and presentations, enabling colleagues to collaborate regardless of their Ndoc subscription status. Patel's approach emphasizes transparency, allowing users to inspect the underlying Python scripts and understand how AI-generated content was created, addressing concerns about AI trustworthiness. Ndoc is built using a mix of open-source models and is designed to be cost-effective to run. Patel also plans to open source the proprietary “.ndoc.html” export format to avoid vendor lock-in and accelerate development.

Patel's departure and the launch of Ndoc signal a growing trend of high-profile AI talent leaving Big Tech to pursue ambitious, independent projects aimed at disrupting established software markets. Ndoc's integrated approach, focusing on transparency and a unified user experience, directly challenges the incremental AI integrations offered by competitors like OpenAI's ChatGPT. The startup's ambition to reinvent the document itself and its plan to open source its core export format highlight a potential shift towards more open, interoperable productivity tools, moving away from the proprietary ecosystems of Microsoft and Google.

Ndoc's success will hinge on its ability to overcome the inertia of deeply entrenched user habits and the significant resources of its established competitors. While Ndoc offers a more holistic AI-native solution, the market is crowded with both major tech players and other AI startups attempting to capture enterprise workflows. The company's current pilot program and planned beta release are critical steps in demonstrating product-market fit and its potential to attract funding, especially as it aims to compete without initial venture capital.