Andrew Tulloch, co-founder of Mira Murati’s AI startup Thinking Machines Lab, has left the company to join Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The move highlights the growing competition among global tech firms for top artificial intelligence talent.
Andrew Tulloch exits Thinking Machines Lab to join Meta
Thinking Machines Lab confirmed Tulloch’s departure, saying he had “decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.” The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, stated that Tulloch is heading to Meta to take up a senior AI-related role.
While his specific designation at Meta has not been disclosed, the hire fits into the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its artificial intelligence research and product development teams. Meta has been expanding its AI division rapidly, focusing on large language models, generative systems, and advanced infrastructure.
Why Tulloch’s move matters in the AI talent war
Tulloch is a respected AI researcher and engineer who previously worked with Meta before co-founding Thinking Machines Lab earlier this year alongside former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. His decision to return to Meta suggests that large tech companies continue to hold a strong pull, even as high-profile startups attempt to attract top researchers with promising missions and equity-based incentives.
The move also reflects a broader pattern in the industry. Companies like Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind are offering multi-million-dollar packages to secure leading AI experts. According to reports, Tulloch had earlier declined a billion-dollar offer from Mark Zuckerberg, though this figure has not been officially confirmed by either party.
What we know (and what we don’t)
- Confirmed: Tulloch has officially left Thinking Machines Lab. The company has acknowledged his exit.
- Confirmed: He is joining Meta, though the company has not released details of his new role or the start date.
- Unconfirmed: Compensation details and the specific project or department Tulloch will join have not been made public.
- Background: Thinking Machines Lab, founded in early 2025, focuses on advanced machine learning tools, including a platform called Tinker. The company has attracted global attention for its vision to build human-centric AI systems.
Impact on Thinking Machines and the AI industry
The departure of a co-founder is likely to be a moment of transition for Thinking Machines Lab, though not necessarily a setback. The company continues to be led by Mira Murati, who has been central to its research direction and long-term strategy.
For Meta, the hire reinforces its aggressive push to build AI capabilities that can rival OpenAI and Anthropic. The company is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, open-source models, and new research teams under its FAIR (Fundamental AI Research) division. Tulloch’s experience across both research and engineering makes him a valuable addition to that effort.
Industry observers say this move highlights the growing tug-of-war for AI expertise as companies race to build models that can define the next generation of computing.
Adepu Bindu
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