The former OpenAI and FAIR researcher departs Mira Murati’s AI startup, following reports of a $1.5B Meta recruitment push — another signal that Big Tech’s AI talent war is far from over.
Tulloch Joins Meta, Exits AI Startup He Co-Founded
Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Thinking Machines Lab and a veteran AI researcher, has left the company to join Meta, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Tulloch confirmed his departure to employees in a message Friday, and a company spokesperson cited “personal reasons” for the decision.
The move marks a significant shake-up at the high-profile AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, and reflects the increasing pressure AI startups face to retain top talent amid escalating competition from tech giants like Meta.
A $1.5 Billion Recruiting Blitz?
Tulloch’s departure follows WSJ’s previous reporting that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had made an unsuccessful acquisition attempt for Thinking Machines Lab back in August. When the deal fell through, Meta allegedly pivoted to individual talent, with Tulloch reportedly receiving an offer worth up to $1.5 billion over six years — a claim Meta called “inaccurate and ridiculous” at the time.
Still, Tulloch’s new destination — and the timing — suggest Meta’s overtures were at least partially successful. Meta has made no secret of its goal to become the leading force in open-source AI, a mission that demands elite technical talent like Tulloch’s.
Tulloch’s Deep AI Roots
Tulloch is far from a newcomer in the AI world. His resume includes stints at:
- OpenAI, where he worked on foundational systems
- Facebook AI Research (FAIR), contributing to scalable machine learning systems
- Co-founding Thinking Machines Lab, a startup focused on large-scale model training and foundation model architecture
His departure from a venture co-founded alongside Mira Murati — now one of the most high-profile figures in AI — underscores how volatile and high-stakes the current AI talent landscape has become.
What’s Next for Thinking Machines Lab?
While Tulloch’s exit is notable, the company remains led by Mira Murati, who left OpenAI to build a team aimed at pushing the boundaries of next-generation foundation models.
Still, the news comes at a critical time for the startup, which has been largely operating in stealth mode but is widely seen as a formidable challenger in the race to develop AI systems that rival GPT-4, Claude, or Gemini.
Tulloch’s loss may raise questions about internal dynamics or long-term strategy — or simply reflect the harsh gravity of Big Tech’s recruitment power in AI’s hottest year yet.
Meta’s AI Arms Race Continues
Meta’s strategy in AI has centered on:
- Open-sourcing large models (like Llama 2 and 3)
- Doubling its compute infrastructure
- Expanding its AI teams through aggressive hiring and high-profile poaching
Tulloch’s return to Meta fits this narrative. His experience building at both startups and research labs could bolster Meta’s ongoing efforts to scale AI models safely and efficiently, while also strengthening its position against rivals like Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic.
