AI Startup Thinking Machines Lab Loses Co-Founder to Meta

Departure of Andrew Tulloch

Thinking Machines Lab, an artificial intelligence startup founded by former OpenAI Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, has announced the departure of one of its co-founders, Andrew Tulloch. The news was reported by The Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Tulloch informed employees about his decision to leave in a message sent on Friday. A spokesperson for Thinking Machines Lab confirmed Tulloch’s exit, stating that he has chosen to "pursue a different path for personal reasons."

Background on Recruitment Efforts

The departure comes amidst a competitive landscape in the AI sector, particularly following reports of aggressive recruitment initiatives by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. In August, The Wall Street Journal highlighted that Mark Zuckerberg’s company had attempted to acquire Thinking Machines Lab. When that proposal did not materialize, Meta reportedly made a significant offer to Tulloch. This offer could have potentially valued up to $1.5 billion over a span of six years, although a Meta spokesperson later described the report as “inaccurate and ridiculous.”

Andrew Tulloch’s Experience

Before co-founding Thinking Machines Lab, Andrew Tulloch held positions at both OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group. His expertise in AI research contributed significantly to the development of innovative technologies within the startup.

As the artificial intelligence landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Tulloch’s transition to Meta further emphasizes the competitive nature of talent acquisition in this field. The industry watches closely to see how this shift will influence both Thinking Machines Lab and Meta as they navigate their future endeavors in AI development.